Military march in gay parade questioned
2012-07-25 13:04
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Washington — Congressional Republicans challenged Defence Secretary Leon Panetta on Tuesday to explain why the Defence Department allowed active-duty troops to wear their uniforms while marching in San Diego's gay pride parade last weekend.
In a letter to Panetta, Senator Jim Inhofe said department rules bar service members from participating in political activities while in uniform and pressed Panetta on why a waiver was granted, who requested it and why it was considered over others.
Inhofe, who serves on the Armed Services Committee, also pointed out that administrative action has been taken against service members who have violated the rule.
"If the Navy can punish a chaplain for participating in a pro-life event or a Marine participating in a political rally, it stands to reason that the Defence Department should maintain the same standard and preclude service members in uniform from marching in a gay pride parade," Inhofe wrote.
In a statement accompanying the letter, Inhofe said he was concerned that the Obama administration "continues to force its liberal social agenda on the military by promoting the homosexual agenda, mandating the use of high-cost green energy initiatives, pursuing abortion rights and suppressing the free exercise of religious liberties".
On Saturday, dozens of soldiers, sailors and Marines in uniform marched alongside an old Army truck with a "Freedom to Serve" banner and a rainbow flag. Dozens of military personnel in civilian clothes joined them.
Critical of change
The Pentagon had advised all its branches that it was making an exception for the San Diego parade even though its policy prohibits service members from marching in uniform in political parades.
The department said it made the exception because organisers had encouraged military personnel to march in their uniform and the event was getting national attention.
The waiver only applied to this year's parade in San Diego.
The administration, with the backing of Congress, ended the policy barring gays to serve openly in the military. Nevertheless, several Republicans in Congress have been critical of the change in policy and have pushed legislation to limit the new policy.
- AP
