Navy chaplains may perform gay civil unions
WASHINGTON — Navy chaplains will be trained about their ability to perform same-sex civil marriage ceremonies under new guidance that would take effect should the Defense Department move to recognize openly gay military service.
Navy officials said Monday that they updated the training after questions came up about civil ceremonies for gay couples. Military training to apply the new law allowing gays to serve openly began early this year and is expected to be complete by midsummer.
In earlier training guidelines issued by the Defense Department and the military services, same-sex marriage ceremonies were not mentioned, and therefore not explicitly prohibited.
Pentagon spokeswoman Eileen Lainez said Monday that the federal Defense of Marriage Act does not restrict the types of ceremonies a chaplain may perform in a chapel on a military base. The military would not compel chaplains to perform a same-sex marriage if it would be against their religious beliefs.
The Pentagon has been moving carefully to implement the repeal of the 17-year-old ban on openly gay troops. Under the law passed and signed by the president late last December, final implementation will go into effect 60 days after the president and his senior defense advisers certify that lifting the ban will not adversely affect troops' ability to fight.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates has asked for updates every two weeks, and so far defense officials have said there have been no reported problems.
The Navy ceremonies would be allowed at military facilities such as chapel and catering centers, but only in states that already recognize same-sex unions.
And, even if a marriage were to be performed, same-sex partners would not get any health, housing or other benefits that are provided to married couples involving a man and woman.
The Air Force and Army do not include discussion of same-sex marriage ceremonies in their training. The Air Force said it is aware of the issue and officials are reviewing it to determine if a change in the training is needed.
Under Pentagon guidelines, chaplains and other key military leaders were among the first tier of service members to be trained about the new law. Much of that instruction has been completed, so the Navy will send out updates to include the marriage ceremony provision.
Under the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, service members face dismissal if they reveal they are gay.
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Happy Gay Marriage!
Put up something about ending discrimination against one group or another and watch the bigots crawl out of the woodwork.
Navy Chaplains cannot use the word GOD in their religious services, but they are going to be allowd to perform same sex marriages.?
Did I miss something.?
Navy Chaplain pray only according to their tradition. I know I am a Chaplain, Christian Protestant. In public prayers we pray very non specific, but my prayers always end in the name of God I pray. It is recommended that if the ceremony is a required attendance for everyone that the Chaplain attempt to include as many people in the prayer as possbile. NO ONE CAN TELL A CHAPLAIN HOW TO PRAY.
We ARE EXPECTED to lead our religious service in the manner that our churches, or faith tradtion expect us to. In my services we have a Christian service, mention God all the time and praise Jesus. This is what the Navy EXPECTS me to do. It is how we are trained from Chaplain' school on.
Don't let the fact get in the way of you making a point. You really should check your sources before you post something that you have no clue about.
Just as it is for all the mammalian species who all have some percentage of their populations that are same-sex.
As such it is unthinkable that we should discriminate against someone for something that is a part of their nature, something that they truly have no control over anymore than they could control their eye color or skin color.
It is way past time that we are finally coming out of the Dark Ages of senseless discrimination and affording all citizens equal rights under the Constitution.
.
Bottom line, I have no problem with doing away with DADT. People have rights regardless what they do in their bed between consenting adults....lets leave it at that.
Pedophiles are both opposite-sex and same-sex.
But they were never able to develop relationships with adults.
.