63 Congressmen complain to Navy about new rule allowing gay weddings in base chapels
Tue. May 10, 2011 10:00 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
Washington, D.C. -
As part of the post-"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" guidance for sailors, the Navy has sent out a memo saying it will be acceptable for gays and lesbians to use chapels and churches on naval bases for weddings.
And some members of Congress are not happy.
Sixty-three Congressmen, led by Rep. Todd Akin (R-Missouri), have sent a letter to the Secretary of the Navy complaining that the military is "picking and choosing" when it comes to what laws to follow -- and insisting that the Defense of Marriage Act is the law of the land.
"This new guidance from the Navy clearly violates the law," the letter states. "While our President may not like this law, it is unbelievable that our Navy would issue guidance that clearly violates this law. 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."
President Obama seems to more than "not like" DOMA; he's told the Justice Department to stop defending it in court.
The Navy Times explained the details of the new rules regarding same-sex marriages on base: chaplains will not be forced to officiate at any ceremony that conflicts with their own personal beliefs and must only follow applicable state and local laws.
And some members of Congress are not happy.
Sixty-three Congressmen, led by Rep. Todd Akin (R-Missouri), have sent a letter to the Secretary of the Navy complaining that the military is "picking and choosing" when it comes to what laws to follow -- and insisting that the Defense of Marriage Act is the law of the land.
"This new guidance from the Navy clearly violates the law," the letter states. "While our President may not like this law, it is unbelievable that our Navy would issue guidance that clearly violates this law. 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."
President Obama seems to more than "not like" DOMA; he's told the Justice Department to stop defending it in court.
The Navy Times explained the details of the new rules regarding same-sex marriages on base: chaplains will not be forced to officiate at any ceremony that conflicts with their own personal beliefs and must only follow applicable state and local laws.