Palm Center Reaction to Navy’s Suspension of Same-Sex Wedding
Los Angeles – The following statement can be attributed to Palm Center Director Aaron Belkin concerning the Navy’s decision to suspend its plans to allow chaplains to perform same-sex weddings in military chapels.
“Opponents of equal rights for LGBT people scored a temporary victory yesterday when they successfully pressured the Navy to suspend plans to allow chaplains to perform marriages for same-sex couples, when allowed by state law, in military chapels. Gay and lesbian tax dollars sustain the salaries of military chaplains and the upkeep of military chapels, but the politics of the moment overwhelmed the Navy’s assessment of its own best interests.
The Navy’s proposed policy would have advanced the equal treatment of gay and lesbian service members while respecting the religious beliefs of individual chaplains. This issue will be revisited and ultimately resolved after the repeal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell.'”
