Gays and the Military - Life after DADT

[fritzkep]

Wow! I wish other military chaplains would think of the troops first.

http://www.stripes.com/military-chaplaincy-exists-first-for-the-troops-1.181072

The culture wars continue, and, as in virtually all wars, truth is the first casualty.

This piece had its origin in a lay friend asking me if it was true that Catholic chaplains could be required to do same-sex marriages; and inflamed by the recent uproar about an enlisted soldier’s commitment ceremony in a military chapel. The simple answer to my friend’s question is, of course not; but it might help to understand what it means to be a chaplain.

[fritzkep]

A same-sex partner taking active part at a change of command ceremony. One step closer indeed.

http://militarypartners.org/one-step-closer/

[fritzkep]

Especially love the photo four pictures down of the couple passing under crossed swords held by a cordon of airmen.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2175480/Erwynn-Umali-Will-Behrens-Airman-marries-boyfriend-gay-wedding-place-military-base.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

A more detailed depiction of their story:

http://www.stripes.com/news/the-wedding-the-unlikely-story-of-the-first-gay-military-union-1.183155

[Lyle (Mooska)]

Republican heads:

[Lyle (Mooska)]

Thanks for the links, Fritz.  This story shows you how entrenched religious bigotry/homophobia is hard to overcome. First-with yourself, and then with your parents.  Neither groups of parents attended.  But their children are okay with it, which is great.  Very BBM, here, thinking that the way you are is wrong so you have to get married to women, thereby creating more problems for others.  Good for them!

[fritzkep]

Republican heads:

Right on!

[atruant]

Thanks for the links, Fritz.  This story shows you how entrenched religious bigotry/homophobia is hard to overcome. First-with yourself, and then with your parents.  Neither groups of parents attended.  But their children are okay with it, which is great.  Very BBM, here, thinking that the way you are is wrong so you have to get married to women, thereby creating more problems for others.  Good for them!

Amen to that!

[fritzkep]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/pentagon-to-allow-service-members-to-march-in-uniform-in-gay-pride-parade-for-first-time/2012/07/19/gJQAu24ywW_story.html

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/20/us-usa-military-pride-idUSBRE86I1OI20120720

If only the rest of the country could handle integration of openly gay people as well as the United States Armed Forces. So proud to be a veteran I could just bust!

[atruant]

Chuck found the story here as well:

http://hamptonroads.com/2012/07/troops-uniform-cleared-march-gay-pride-parade

[Lyle (Mooska)]

Good news:

“The 2012 News and Documentary Emmy Award nominees were announced this morning by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and World of Wonder’s historical look at the legacy of gays and lesbians in the military, The Strange History of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, has been nominated for Outstanding Historical Programming. Congratulations to directors/producers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, producers Mona Card and Gabriel Rotello, executive producer Sheila Nevins, and supervising producer Jacqueline Glover!”

www.worldofwonder.net

Maybe they can show it in history class in California!   

***

Not so good news:

King tries to ban gay marriages on military bases
by Kate Nocera

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) introduced an amendment on Thursday that would ban same-sex marriage on any military facility and prohibit any military chaplain from performing gay marriage ceremonies.

The Iowa Republican argued that President Barack Obama and the Secretary of Defense were “contravening” the Defense of Marriage Act by allowing military chaplains to perform
same-sex marriages on bases.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2012/07/king-tries-to-ban-gay-marriages-on-military-bases-129489.html

***

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) introduced an amendment on Thursday that would ban same-sex marriage on any military facility and prohibit any military chaplain from performing gay marriage ceremonies

Because the above story Fritz posted is so, what?  Beautiful?
(So much for supporting our troops and less government regulation
in the lives of Americans.)

Congratulations again to:
Erwynn Umal and Will Behren
who have to serve under a Congress with people like Steve King in it.
OMG--Steven King!
 

[AZ.bbm]

Very BBM, here, thinking that the way you are is wrong so you have to get married to women, thereby creating more problems for others...

-Nearly half of the members of this Forum are not "very BBM" then...?

And, you are begging the question, of course, 'Does bisexuality exist?'

-Get an education, already. 

Your friend,
Stan


+++

Striking picture, BTW:



I did two tours in the AF, never thought I'd see the day!   

Sad about their parents, though........

[AZ.bbm]

(...) Not so good news:

King tries to ban gay marriages on military bases
by Kate Nocera

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) introduced an amendment on Thursday that would ban same-sex marriage on any military facility and prohibit any military chaplain from performing gay marriage ceremonies.

The Iowa Republican argued that President Barack Obama and the Secretary of Defense were “contravening” the Defense of Marriage Act by allowing military chaplains to perform
same-sex marriages on bases.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2012/07/king-tries-to-ban-gay-marriages-on-military-bases-129489.html

(...)

Unfortunately, Rep. King has "a leg to stand on" until DOMA is repealed. DOMA is bad law (IMO), but it's still the law.
 Section 3 in particular has already been declared unconstitutional in at least one state (CA), so King had better hurry & rush through his amendment to protect DOMA before the whole thing comes crashing down around him.

Cheers

[fritzkep]

May his shins be soon deep in the rubble.

[AZ.bbm]

-Ditto!

[Lyle (Mooska)]

-Get an education, already. 
Your friend,
Stan

You better write letters to the editors of these articles that Fritz linked
then and straightenthem out:

The Intimate Photographs That Capture Vows Between Air Force Airman and His Partner in First Ever   Gay   Wedding at Military Facility

The Wedding: The Unlikely Story of the First   Gay   Military Union