While Americans were busy celebrating the heroes of D-Day, the military was coping with its own invasion of federal marriage law. After three weeks of silence, the Army confirmed yesterday that it conducted the military’s first-ever homosexual “wedding” at Fort Polk base in Louisiana. According to officials, the ceremony took place about three weeks ago between two uniformed lesbians and was presided over by a member of the Chaplains Corps. “The liberal social experiment with our military continues,” said a frustrated Rep. John Fleming (R-La.), who represents the Louisiana district that houses Fort Polk.
As more details emerge, it’s obvious that the Army is trying to cover its tracks. When asked, a spokesman for the base insisted that it was not a “wedding” but a “same-gender private religious ceremony.” Either way, it’s a plain violation of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which outlaws same-sex “marriage” in government facilities. And while some would argue that DOMA is under court review, Louisiana’s marriage amendment is not. It clearly states that only marriage between a man and woman is legal. “It’s outrageous and illegal,” said Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.), who–like Rep. Fleming–serves on the House Armed Services Committee. Once again, he said, “political agenda has trumped the rule of law.” Both men warned of this slippery slope when Congress debated the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal.
“One might say, ‘Well, it’s just a simple ceremony, it’s just one blip… but, unfortunately,” said Rep. Fleming, “I would expect an avalanche of similar ceremonies may occur, and once again, the publicity… could have a tremendous negative impact on military readiness.” If it can happen right under the nose of a member of the Armed Services Committee–in a state that bans homosexual marriage–then it can happen anywhere.
If ever there was a case for the amendments of Rep. Akin and Rep. Steve Palazzo (R-Miss.), this is it. In the Defense Authorization bill that passed out of the House just a couple of weeks ago, leaders agreed to language that would hold the Pentagon’s boots to the fire on the Defense of Marriage Act by banning the military from holding “marriage-like” ceremonies–like this one–on federal property. The men and women in harm’s way deserve Congress’s reassurance that they will not be exploited to advance this administration’s social agenda. DOMA is still the law of the land, and neither the Army nor the Obama administration has the power to change that. Contact your senators and ask them to adopt the House language in the Defense bill.
SOURCE: Family Research Council