Government

Gov’t Memo Reveals Same-Sex Marriages Now Okay in Navy Chapels

With the military’s “Don‘t Ask Don’t Tell” policy repealed, its branches have been forced to update their positions regarding same-sex couples. One such update includes the Navy now okaying its chapels to be used for same-sex marriages. But despite the repeal, some say the move could violate current federal law.

As CNS News reports, “the Office of the Chief of Navy Chaplains has decided that same-sex couples in the Navy will be able to get married in Navy chapels, and that Navy chaplains will be allowed to perform the ceremonies — if homosexual marriage is legal in the state where the unions are to be performed.”

That‘s a change from the Navy’s previous position, and has been broadcast in an April 13 memo issued to chaplains.

Section 2.a of the memo says:

Govt Memo Reveals Same Sex Marriages Now Okay in Navy Chapels

The memo is signed by Chief of Navy Chaplains, Admiral Michael Tidd, which revises the branch’s Tier 1 training manuals that had previously banned such marriages on federal grounds.

A Navy spokeswoman confirmed to CNS News that the memo is valid, however she said the document “does not reflect a change in policy, but a change in Tier I training for Navy chaplains that looks forward to when Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is removed.” According to here, that won’t happen until 60 days after the president, the secretary of defense, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff certify to Congress that repeal will not harm military readiness.

At least one representative says the move could violate the Defense of Marriage Act, the law defining marriage as between one man and one woman, which the Obama administration has now stopped defending.

“Offering up federal facilities and federal employees for same-sex marriage violates DOMA, which is still the law of the land and is bound to the duties of our military, including chaplains,” Steve Taylor, communications director for Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO), told CNS News.

“The administration and various states may be operating as if DOMA doesn’t exist, but the Navy and Marine Corps and all the Armed Services are sworn to obey the law, which this new instruction violates,” he added.

Read more reaction at CNSNews.com.

Read the full memo here.

Comments (136)

  • BRAVEHEART
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 2:07pm

    Does this mean the navy Sucks and packs mud?

    Report Post »  
  • LastCallForEmpathy
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 2:02pm

    Are we still on GODS side?

    Report Post » LastCallForEmpathy  
  • caprica
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:59pm

    gays are in military ? the sissies are in military to get married..to other sisssis .?….what happen to the YMCA clubs….just like pre hitler area ….same thing …hitler incourage gays to be very visible ! and once he got the power he began to kill them first !!! it took hitler to gain ultimate power 10 years……we must vote obama out ! they are doing all what pre- hitler did to gain power and controll and then they killed millions of people !
    obama must be vote out …….Amerian people lives depend on that !!!!!

    Report Post »  
    • Mary M. Tebbe
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 8:01pm

      caprica: Remember the November 2, 2010 election, and don’t panic. We are armed with KNOWLEDGE now and see the light. Just keep remembering Glenn’s connections and the chalkboards and pictures. God will give us a bigger victory in 2012. That’s what the left is afraid of. They know that we aren’t stupid, and we aren’t out here sleeping anymore. Just keep informed, and pass the information along. And before the election make sure that illegals aren’t allowed to vote, and let’s not have Mickey Mouse vote again either. God’s been showing me the victory that he gave the shepherd boy David, who later became the King of Israel, in 1 Samuel 17. Today we have that same enemy clad in the armor of ideology and false religions coming up against Israelites, bloviating, blustering, and boasting about what they intend to do to us. We just have to remember that the BATTLE BELONGS TO GOD, and the ENEMY IS EASILY DEFEATED WHEN GOD IS ON OUR SIDE. 2 Chronicles 20 also showed us that GOD FIGHTS FOR ISRAELITES. In the story of Jehoshaphat we found that the enemy KILLED ITSELF, IMPLODING FROM WITHIN. If it happened before, it will also happen again. The left is more worried about the outcome of the 2012 election then we on the right are. They know that power is not really on their side, because they are ANTI-GOD. The Bible tells us that the WICKED COME TO DESTRUCTION, BUT GOD SAVES THE RIGHTEOUS. That’s not too difficult to understand and remember is it???!!! :)

      Report Post » Mary M. Tebbe  
  • BH
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:58pm

    This will result in a legal case against DOMA that the administration will not defend leading to DOMA being eliminated. Mark my words that you will see, contrary to earlier statements by the military, military chaplains being forced to conduct gay marriages. Just as with large American Corporations the gay lifestyle in the military will be supported from the top and any who are so bigoted as to disagree with this position will need to either keep it to themselves or face disciplinary action.

    Report Post »  
  • Elena2010
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:50pm

    That is MARK Tidd. I knew him when he was a leech in Gulf War I. Even his own Marines despised him. My fellow Chaplain fm MCRD PISC and I left the States with whatever we could stuff in a cargo pocket or seabag (which was already jammed). Mark would not even give us a corner of his pack-out box. His Marines detested the way he commandeered the vehicles and made sure his own needs were taken care of first. They also complained to me that he’d never go forward to see his men up close to where the fight would be. That was left to a Lieutenant who was sought out by Task Force Troy two days before the invasion. How that man made CDR, nobody knows, let alone Chief of Chaplains. It’s abt the politics and being a good boy/girl in the Chaplain Corps. PFFFT!

    Report Post » Elena2010  
  • Dexter Alarius
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:46pm

    What’s next:
    Base housing, membership in the Spouses Club, same-sex couples at various formal Balls…
    yeech.

    Report Post » Dexter Alarius  
    • LARR
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:49pm

      It’s coming…USMC training is including how to act if same sex couple moves into housing next door.

      Report Post »  
  • duane38637
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:43pm

    The people voted for Obama this is what they get! Sad America is being destroyed daily within

    Report Post »  
  • LARR
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:39pm

    NACILBUPER…

    So, what part of Lesbia are you from?

    Thankful I was not a sub sailor – I hear they are exempt from the sensitivity training.

    LARR – USN (Ret)

    Report Post »  
  • Freedom1984
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:38pm

    You know ONE joins the MILITARY to set ASIDE THEIR DIFFERENCES and BE ALIKE…whether it be by HAIR STYLE, WAY OF DRESS, THEY EAT THE SAME FOODS AT THE SAME TIME, CERTAIN CODES, GUIDELINES and tha whole thing that goes along with creating comoradarie.

    The Miliatry is NOT the place for any type of “civilian struggles”. If I wanted to join the military, and they told me to cut my long hair, I would have to do it, or I wouldn’t join. It’s that simple.

    Report Post » Freedom1984  
  • FreshAir
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:37pm

    I’m okay with it. You don’t have to be straight or moral to fight for my freedom.

    Report Post »  
    • Bhaub
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 4:37pm

      …I wish everyone here agreed with you. :\

      Anyone who is willing to fight and protect the country should be applauded, but look at these posters! They call homosexuals deviants and animals and perverts. I don‘t think I’d care who was defending my life. If the SEAL who killed Osama went home and married his gay lover, would you all suddenly regret the military action?

      Report Post » Bhaub  
    • Mary M. Tebbe
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 7:47pm

      freshair: God calls them morally bankrupt, WICKED, and PERVERTED. You need to go back and read Romans 1 again. God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their PERVERSION.
      God cannot go into battle with His People if they are perverted. They jeopardize our army, but I guess we don’t get that yet? Are we BEGGING God to bring His wrath upon us, instead of upon our enemies? Life has choices, and choices have consequences.

      Report Post » Mary M. Tebbe  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 11:43pm

      Bhaub wrote:

      “If the SEAL who killed Osama went home and married his gay lover, would you all suddenly regret the military action?”

      I bet it would really p*ss off Osama

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • rcw1120
      Posted on May 10, 2011 at 12:50am

      @Mary

      If you really fear the all powerful god you worship so dearly, why only complain about homosexuality and not all of the other “abominations” and deviances out there.

      You cant pick and choose, you either fight them all or none. Take your pick.

      Report Post » rcw1120  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on May 10, 2011 at 2:22am

      @rcw

      Why don’t you post a reply to every single person here that you disagree with?
      You can’t just pick and choose. You either argue with us all, or none at all.
      Now get busy, or disappear.

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
  • ZAP
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:26pm

    So, Sodom and Gomorrah was a fairy tale…….

    Report Post » ZAP  
    • vennoye
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 3:30pm

      Don’t think so!!! Only the liberals think faith is evolving….

      Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

      Report Post » vennoye  
    • Bhaub
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 4:34pm

      Except that whole “old testament, new testament thing.” The LORD seems pretty keen on makeovers. :)

      Report Post » Bhaub  
  • BarbWire
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:25pm

    I don’t want my children to be in the military! It’s not a safe place, morally.

    Report Post »  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 2:27pm

      It wasn’t a very moral place before either though. No offense, and I say this as a former soldier myself.

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
  • Finch88
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:17pm

    Like that will make more people go…

    http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos

    Report Post »  
  • ClockKing
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:17pm

    We are totally dependent on our technology and special forces. The military has become a jobs program since the end of the Vietnam war.

    Report Post » ClockKing  
  • HorseCrazy
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:15pm

    God help us and those that are serving now. We are imploding as a country using our warriors as political tools of “change” or “progress”.

    Report Post »  
  • joelack55
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:14pm

    I’m Glad i talked my son out of joining the navy last year. This Nation is dying ..Osama ,and the other facist , won.

    Report Post » joelack55  
  • Stu D. Baker-Hawk
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:14pm

    John Paul Jones is spinning in his grave. God help the United States Navy…

    Report Post »  
  • TheMarine
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:07pm

    Why do comments keep deleting?

    Report Post » TheMarine  
    • BRAVEHEART
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 2:03pm

      The navy Sucks and now their in the mudd packing business.

      Report Post »  
  • TheMarine
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:07pm

    And the Navy just grew its reputation as the gayest branch of our military. Let‘s just hope that it doesn’t continue to bleed over into the other branches.

    Report Post » TheMarine  
    • Ballgame
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:18pm

      Airforce is a close second because of the amount of Hippies they have.

      Report Post » Ballgame  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on May 10, 2011 at 12:58pm

      For the military chaplains who actually perform a marriage of this type, SHAME ON YOU.

      Report Post »  
    • patriot 76
      Posted on August 10, 2012 at 8:37pm

      When I was a Navy Corpsman ( Korean war) I was on special watch duty, when we came upon a vacant barracks,heard some ,“metal on metal”noise opened the door and two “darling”
      recruits were getting it on against the lockers. They were discharged the next morning (THE REAL NAVY)

      Report Post » patriot 76  
  • nacilbuper
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:07pm

    I found out today that I was a lesbian. I am a guy, so I think I am ok for now.

    Report Post » nacilbuper  
    • LAM2
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 2:13pm

      South Park deja vu — Mr. Garrison, the 3rd grade teacher, has sex change operation and becomes Mrs. Garrison. This teacher, now Mrs. Garrison despite being unmarried, discovers attraction for women and realizes she’s a lesbian. Subsequently Mrs. Garrison decides to have a reversal and once again becomes Mr. Garrison.

      Report Post »  
  • biohazard23
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:05pm

    “In the navy, you can sail the seven seas……”

    Report Post » biohazard23  
  • id-look-fat-in-a-burka
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:04pm

    STOP!!!!!!!! with this stupidity!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post » does this burka make me look fat?  
    • JD Carp
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:16pm

      This is complete craziness! When PC invades the armed forces we are doomed.

      Report Post » JD Carp  
    • rcw1120
      Posted on May 10, 2011 at 12:48am

      Too late, when the armed forces invade countries we have no business in, we are doomed. Oh wait….

      Thank god for this support.

      contact me : cowace10@uwgb.edu

      Report Post » rcw1120  
  • TheMarine
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:04pm

    Leave it to the Navy to do this… I’m tired of this garbage.

    Report Post » TheMarine  
    • CatB
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:43pm

      In the Navy in the NAVY!!! Enough already.

      Report Post »  
    • patriot 76
      Posted on August 10, 2012 at 8:44pm

      When I was the Navy (Korean War) I was on watch duty when we came upon a vacant barracks. we heard metal on metal noise opened the door and there was to “darling” recruits getting it on.
      They were kiicked out before noon the next day ! The REAL NAVY !!!

      Report Post » patriot 76  
  • BuckOfama
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:04pm

    Sweet baby Jesus…………

    Report Post »  
  • Robert-CA
    Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:02pm

    Yep that will encourage more people to join the Navy .

    Report Post » Robert-CA  
    • TexasCommonSense
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:10pm

      I have no doubt they were pressured into doing this.

      Report Post » TexasCommonSense  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:11pm

      The Navy Image has had a gayish image seen the Village people….this just concrete that image even more.

      Report Post »  
    • RAS
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:27pm

      Of course the other Armed Service branches will follow suit, but the question that first comes to mind is what they mean by “a change in Tier I training for Navy chaplains that looks forward to when Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is removed.” Do they mean military chaplains will be required (ordered) to participate on these so-called “same-sex marriages?”

      Report Post »  
    • sWampy
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:36pm

      Hurray, I’m for the other team, praise allah.

      Report Post »  
    • sWampy
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:39pm

      Well Ray Mabus was kicked out as diplomat to Saudi Arabia after being caught committing sodomy, so we put him in charge of our seamen.

      Report Post »  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:49pm

      The destruction of our armed forces esprit de corps continues.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • Cemoto78
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 2:09pm

      And we wonder why our nation is in such a decline…………morally bankrupt special interests and their stupidity. Just like all the environmentalists who keep anyone from drilling for oil or using the land for anything they don’t like. We will be back to the stone ages or like Afghanistan soon.

      Report Post » Cemoto78  
    • Sparky101
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 2:23pm

      That submarine service is looking better all the time. First women, and now this. Wheeeeeeeee, this is suddenly fun and not work at all!!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Cryptoportico
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 2:24pm

      I think the Doors said it best: This is the end…

      Report Post » www.Cryptoportico.com  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 2:24pm

      If I’m not mistaken, if the chaplain is a Christian (presumably so by default) then that would violate *his* religious freedom and he will by needs be forced to deny his faith and perform a ceremony specifically prohibited by his faith. I can understand if they say “if you can find a chaplain to do so”, but creating a policy of forcing the chaplain to go directly against the tenants of his faith seems to me to be a huge lawsuit in the making. Talk about a chance to put the teachings of how to deal with Nebuchadnezzar to work.

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • ConscientiousObjector
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 2:46pm

      Almost every other military power in the world allow this let alone gays in the military. The other countries that continue to ban this are all fundamental states such as Iran, Iraq, and Pakistan. It is so ironic that we claim a hatred of Fundamental Islam yet when we ourselves have enacted fundamental christian policies everyone is OK with that. Gays have served in many armies, in many wars bravely and without need for criticism.

      Report Post » ConscientiousObjector  
    • CatB
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 3:00pm

      I’d wager they aren;t SEAL’s

      Report Post »  
    • militiaman
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 3:42pm

      This is just one more PC burden placed on the military that is unequivocally reducing its effectiveness,

      Up to now the US military has been the 800 pound gorilla in the military world able to invoke any silly policies it wants and still have enough strength to reduce its opponents to rubble.

      Compared to militaries it has faced so far, it is like a football team having 500 pound lineman who are so dominating the incompetence of the Barny Fife types in the backfield aren’t noticed, because they don’t effect the overall efficiency of the steamroller line.

      But the world is catching up, while the US military is in the process of weakening itself. Gays in the military; women and minorities pushed into the officer ranks without being really qualified, plus the additional influence of feminist man-haters making policy on various panels, all will contribute to a scathing US military defeat against a country like Iran, North Korea or China, none of which tolerate any kind of PC nonsense within their ranks.

      Our SEALS showed us how magnificent the “old military” policies are. Soon their ranks will be strictly politically correct, inundated with social engineering candidates which will include every flake, oddball and misfit this country has.

      The American Empire is cracking badly. The coming financial collapse will put the coup de gras to the whole mess I’m afraid.

      And maybe it should. Starting over the right way this time could prove to be the best thing for us

      Report Post »  
    • v-vet1968
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 4:26pm

      dont drop the soap in the shower!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Smitty1969
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 5:26pm

      Another tool to undermine the military! Just wait until the lawsuits start flying. The military will need more lawyers than troops.

      Report Post » Smitty1969  
    • Professional Infidel
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 8:27pm

      ??? not the military i was a part of. Men wanted a women in the fox hole not another guy???

      Report Post »  
    • banjarmon
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:27pm

      Just what BO wants..a gay Navy

      Report Post » banjarmon  
    • MinorityRightsAdvocate
      Posted on May 10, 2011 at 1:43am

      This is only tip of the iceberg. The effort to push the repeal training is unlike any effort EVER in the Navy and military.

      There is a team of 6 CAPTAINS and other staff dedicated to push this and answer questions from the fleet.

      I’ve asked questions and still do not have approved answers to 3 of my original questions.

      It gets worse, some answers were confirmation that we have open service now, contrary to policy, and it is ignored by the leadership and at the deck plate. So how can we expect anyone to follow policy and procedure when and if it changes, when they don’t follow it NOW!?

      Add to that there is denial of real problems that exist with cohabitation of heterosexuals and homosexuals, especially amongst males (85% of the fleet). Across the military the rate of male sexual assault male VICTIMS is now double as a percentage of what it was 3 years ago, and at 11% of all victims, is about 3 to 4 times higher than would be expected for the relative size of the male homosexual population at large, and that would assume that is also reflected directly by those willing to serve!

      The brass is either ignoring this or unwilling to stand up to political leadership, but the current policy is a disaster, and the new policy stands to make it worse, not better, but most are cowering and afraid to speak out.

      HELP US!

      http://minorityrightsadvocate.wordpress.com/2011/03/01/serious-honest-difficult-but-respectful-questions-for-military-members-to-ask-th

      Report Post » MinorityRightsAdvocate  
    • StonyBurk
      Posted on May 10, 2011 at 8:27am

      SO the Dept. of the Navy has decided to prove it is pink triangle friendly and fully on board with Obama
      they will have Gay chaplains perform fraudulent ceremonies pretending to sanction same sex “marriage”
      on Naval Bases— so how long until they force out – or pass over Chaplains who refuse to compromise their Christian beliefs in order to follow our Military command that we all become as Sodom and like unto Gomorrah. Es verdad in American life Christians are already punished for refusing abominations at Christian resorts, and the Navy is already discriminating against Navy chaplains who are Christian.

      Report Post »  

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