Gay Partner Initially Barred By Pentagon

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Defense Department initially blocked the domestic partner of Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin from going on a congressional delegation trip on a military plane -- but acquiesced after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked that the partner be allowed.

The Pentagon says it was merely following House rules, which allow spouses of lawmakers on the trips -- but don't specify anything about domestic partners.

A congressional leadership aide confirmed the Pentagon had said Baldwin's partner, Lauren Azar, could not go on the trip. Defense Secretary Robert Gates reversed that decision after getting a call from Pelosi, according to the aide, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat and openly gay House member, declines to talk about the incident, which was first reported by Politico.