FRC Criticizes Defense Department for Approving Same-Sex 'Weddings' on Military Bases

News provided by

Sep 30, 2011, 12:57 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Family Research Council (FRC) today criticized the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) for a pair of memos giving approval for same-sex "weddings" to be conducted on military bases, and by military chaplains whether on or off base.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080930/FRCLOGO)

The memos resembled the guidance offered by the Navy's Chief of Chaplains last April – guidance which was suspended less than a month later after a public outcry by critics who, like FRC, argued that such a policy would violate the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). DOMA forbids the federal government from recognizing anything other than the union of one man and one woman as a marriage.

The new memos also directly contradict language, the so-called "military DOMA" amendment, which was adopted by the House of Representatives in the Defense Authorization bill. That bill currently awaits action in the Senate.

FRC President Tony Perkins issued the following statement:

"It is outrageous that only ten days after repeal of the law against homosexuality in the Armed Forces, the Defense Department is already pushing the military further down the slippery slope. The repeal law passed by the lame-duck Congress last year said nothing about authorizing same-sex 'weddings' on military bases or by military chaplains.

"The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) remains the law in America, defining marriage as a union of one man and one woman for all purposes under federal law. One House of Congress has already taken action to reinforce DOMA, which clearly repudiates the policy announced today.

"I urge the Obama administration to end its multi-front attack upon marriage, and I urge the Senate to act upon the legislation which would forbid this further exploitation of our military to advance a radical social agenda," concluded Perkins.

SOURCE Family Research Council