Navy halts move to allow chaplains to perform gay unions
Under pressure from more than five dozen House lawmakers, the Navy late Tuesday abruptly reversed its decision that would have allowed chaplains to perform same-sex unions if the Pentagon decides to recognize openly gay military service later this year, The Associated Press reported.
The Navy said its lawyers wanted to do a more thorough review of the legal decision that would allow chaplains to perform same-sex civil ceremonies in states where such marriages are legal.
The House members wrote to Navy Secretary Ray Mabus that the decision violated the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which limits marriage to one man and one woman, AP reported.
"We find it unconscionable that the United States Navy, a federal entity sworn to preserve and protect the Constitution of the United States, believes it is their place alone to train and direct service members to violate federal law," said the lawmakers' letter, which was signed by 63 House members, according to the AP.
Read the rest of the Associated Press story
