After getting legally married to his partner in Massachusetts, Jason Hair-Wynn legally added his partner's last name to his own. But when Jason applied for a new passport in order to go to Africa to work for orphaned kids, the US State Department declined his application.

The reason? The State Department said it was prohibited from recognizing his new name because of the Defense of Marriage Act. In a letter to Jason, the State Department writes:

"We are unable to comply with your request for a name change based on the documentation you sent because of the Defense of Marriage Act ... In determining the meaning of any Act of Congress, or of any ruling, regulation, or interpretation of the various administration bureaus and agencies of the United States, the word 'marriage' means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word 'spouse' refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife."

Jason, who is an AIDS counselor, wanted to bring his expertise to help educate children in Africa about HIV and AIDS. The red tape won't stop him, though. Jason says he's planning to change his name back so he can go to the continent that has been ravaged by the disease.

Last update: 03-21-2008 13:03