The military's former "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, the federal
Defense Of Marriage Act (DOMA), and same-sex marriage (SSM)

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2011-APR to SEP: Military chaplains permitted
to conduct same-sex marriage (SSM) ceremonies
on military bases, where state laws permit.

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We use the acronym "SSM" throughout this section to represent "same-sex marriage"
"LGB" refers to lesbians, gays, and bisexuals.
"DOMA" refers to the Defense of Marriage Act

This section is continued from a previous essay on the DADT policy

Overview:

The military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy was terminated during 2011-SEP, thus allowing LGB servicemembers to come out of the closet and be open about their sexual orientation without being ejected from the service. Since both heterosexual and LGB servicemembers typically have free access to facilities on military bases for personal use, family celebrations, etc., the question arose whether LGB servicemembers can hold their marriage ceremonies there, and whether chaplains would be permitted to marry loving, committed same-sex couples -- at least in those states where same-sex marriage (SSM) has been legalized

Many religious conservatives resisted such a development citing the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages and relationships. Many religious liberals, the LGB community, human rights advocates etc. supported the change.

Topics covered in this section:

• 1. Background. Ceremonies temporarily allowed. Republican House Representatives complain.
  
  
• 2. Permission suspended. Permission later reinstated. Reactions by evangelical Christian chaplains.
  
  
• 3. Catholic church also discriminates. Reactions by the media and public.
  
  
• 4. Lesbian solder allowed to attend function. House bill to ban SSM on military bases.

Further developments in the repeal of DADT continue in the next essay

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Copyright © 2011 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2011-OCT-31
Author: B.A. Robinson

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