According to the Government Accountability Office, there are 1,138 federal benefits that are denied to same-sex couples because they are not recognized as a legitimate married couples by the federal government – even in states where same-sex marriage is legal.  Some of the 1,138 benefits include things like tax and military benefits, employment rights, family protections and access to federal benefits and services.

In March, Equality Forum, a national and international gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) civil rights organization, launched a Project 1138 web site to create awareness about the 1,138 federal benefits denied GLBT couples. Project 1138 calls on its members and the GLBT community and allies to take action by contacting their elected officials in Congress and demanding the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act.