ATHENS, Ga. – Navy Secretary Ray Mabus has denied that lawmaker pressure helped abruptly reverse a policy allowing chaplains to perform same-sex unions if the Pentagon recognizes openly gay military service later this year.
Mabus told reporters in Athens that policymakers must first address more issues besides just rules on who can get married in military chapels. He spoke before giving the commencement address at the University of Georgia.
The Athens Banner-Herald reports that Mabus said the country “is ready” for gays in the military.
Under pressure from more than five dozen House lawmakers, the Navy on Tuesday abruptly reversed its decision on chaplains performing same-sex unions. Chaplains would only have performed the ceremonies in states where gay marriage is legal. The Army and Air Force had not made similar decisions.
Information from: Athens Banner-Herald, http://www.onlineathens.com
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