Gay Sailors Will Be Able to Wed on Base

Following the impending repeal of "don't ask, don't tell," Navy chaplains have been given the go-ahead to perform weddings for same-sex couples in states where marriage equality has been legalized.



An April 13 document from the Office of the Chief of Navy Chaplains was recovered recently, showing that inquiries were made into whether chaplains will be allowed to perform such ceremonies. After legal review "legal counsel has concluded that base use is sexual orientation-neutral. If the base is located in a state where same-sex marriage is legal, then base facilities may normally be used to celebrate the marriage," the document says.



Chaplains are allowed to officiate same-sex civil marriages if the church they belong to recognizes the union.