Judge Rules in Favor of Man Seeking Death Benefits in Challenge to Arizona Gay Marriage Ban!

A judge has handed a victory to a gay man who lost his spouse to cancer last month and was denied death benefits because Arizona does not recognize same-sex marriage.

Fred McQuire and George Martinez were partners of 45 years who got married in California this summer, fulfilling one of their final wishes as they both dealt with serious health issues.

Martinez died in late August, but McQuire was unable to receive Social Security and veteran benefits because Arizona bans gay marriage.

McQuire went to court Friday as his lawyers asked U.S. District Judge John Sedwick to let McQuire be listed as Martinez's spouse on the death certificate. The judge quickly issued a ruling in favor of McQuire.

George Martinez was a Vietnam War veteran in the throes of the final stages of cancer when he and his partner of 45 years traveled from Arizona to California to fulfill one of his final wishes and get married. He died two weeks ago, and now his surviving spouse is in the midst of a legal battle over Arizona's ban on gay marriage.

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