Navy Chaplains to officiate gay marriages

[Lonestar]

One more nail in DOMAs coffin

The Navy will allow its chaplains to officiate same-sex marriages once the military's ban on gay marriage is officially lifted this summer, according to a new memo written by Navy's head chaplain, Rear Admiral Mark Tidd.

The memo's guidance, which serves to train chaplains on a number new procedures to be instituted along with the repeal of don't ask don't tell, went through a rigorous legal review before being issued.

The memo reads: "Regarding the use of base facilities for same-sex marriages, legal counsel has concluded that generally speaking, base facility use is sexuality orientation neutral. If the base is located in a state where same-sex is legal, then base facilities may normally be used to celebrate the marriage."

Navy marriages on Navy bases typically involve Navy Chaplains, but the memo goes on to say the chaplains involvement is not mandatory and he or she could decline to participate if gay marriage is not "consistent with the tenets of his or her religious organization."

On Monday Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo., released a statement saying the Navy's new policy violates the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defines marriage as between one man and one woman. "While a state may legalize same-sex marriage, federal property and federal employees, like Navy chaplains, should not be used to perform marriages that are not recognized by federal law," Akin says.

The Navy is hoping to have all its chaplains trained on the new guidelines by the end of June, and the Pentagon is expected remove the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy sometime this summer.

In short, if a Navy Chaplain refuses the USN can't make them officiate the marriage, but the base chapel is open to same-sex marriages in states where it's legal. Cue frothing at the mouth by certain segments of the population. (seriously some of the comments are rough)

[Shroom Man 777]

We want you, we want you, we want you for a new recruit!

Good news. Good on the Navy man. Go Navy Strong Power Ooorahooah!

Wait a sec, since the USMC falls under the Department of the Navy... does this mean... they also get a piece of the man-on-man combat?

[Lonestar]

We want you, we want you, we want you for a new recruit!

Good news. Good on the Navy man. Go Navy Strong Power Ooorahooah!

Wait a sec, since the USMC falls under the Department of the Navy... does this mean... they also get a piece of the man-on-man combat?

Yup.

All worrying about "Some cute Republican LT offering to show you how to 'manhandle a terrorist in the dark'." Commentators on FrumForum. It's pretty funny.

[Lonestar]

All Stop

Navy reverses itself on gay marriages on military bases

Washington (CNN) -- The Navy did an abrupt about-face late Tuesday, suspending earlier guidance that could have allowed same-sex marriages on military bases once the Pentagon scraps its present Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.
A memorandum from the Chief of Chaplains, Rear Admiral M.L. Tidd, suspended one he issued about a month ago.
"My memorandum of 13 April 2011 is hereby suspended until further notice pending additional legal and policy review and inter-Departmental coordination," Tidd wrote on Tuesday to all Navy chaplains and "religious program specialists."
The green light for gay marriage on military bases prompted a new round of Congressional opposition to ending Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
Before the policy is changed, it must receive a final sign-off from top Pentagon officials that all services have received proper training on the new rules and procedures. And that final approval could be just weeks away.

Some critics of the Navy's now stalled gay marriage plan have said it would violate federal law under the Defense of Marriage Act.
Navy plan to allow same-sex marriage on bases draws opposition
CNN confirmed the new memo with a Navy spokeswoman, who said the Navy will continue its overall training on how to comply with the repeal of the policy that now bans gays and lesbians from serving openly in the U.S. military.
"The training continues as planned," Lt. Alana Garas told CNN.
"Legal counsel determined that a more thorough review was required," he said on the issues of same-sex marriages, use of military facilities and the participation of Navy chaplains.
It remains unclear what same-sex policies the other services might be considering or adopt.
In his April memo, Rear Admiral Tidd said that in states that allowed same-sex marriage or civil unions, "base facilities may normally be used to celebrate the marriage."
Tidd had earlier said the chaplains' participation in a same-sex ceremony would depend on whether it was "consistent with the tenets of his or her religious organization.

[Thanas]

EDIT: Wait, did not see the second article.

[LadyTevar]

That was a fast back-paddle

[eion]

Methinks someone hit the "send" button a few months too early. Hopefully once repeal is certified the Navy will go ahead with this anyway.