Monday, October 3, 2011

Pentagon Decides Military Chaplains May Perform Gay Marriages

The Pentagon on Friday announced it would allow military chaplains to officiate the marriages of gay service members, including on a military installation, the AP reported.

Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Clifford Stanley issued the ruling in a memo released this morning.

“A military chaplain may participate in or officiate any private ceremony, whether on or off a military installation, provided that the ceremony is not prohibited by applicable state and local law,” Stanley wrote.

The ruling comes 10 days after the military ended an 18-year-old policy that banned gay and bisexual troops from serving openly, known as “Don't Ask, Don't Tell.”

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