CHAPLAIN ALLIANCE FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY August 14, 2013 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact CHAPLAIN ENDORSERS at info@chaplainalliance.org or call (571) 293-2427
Chaplains say, DoD discriminates against heterosexual couples—fails to uphold principles of equality and justice for all
WASHINGTON — Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty, an organization dedicated to protecting the right of service members to live out their faith as they protect the freedom of all Americans, expressed concern that the newly released plan of the Department of Defense to extend special benefits to same-sex couples discriminates against heterosexual couples.
The DOD’s new policy will allow a same-sex couple to receive 10 days of “free leave” to get married--—a policy never prescribed for heterosexual couples. Providing “accelerated access” to benefits for same-sex couples advances disparate treatment of heterosexual couples and is contrary to the Military’s commitment to equality and justice for all.
“Why should heterosexual couples have to use personal leave to get married while same-sex couples receive 10 days of free leave?” asked CH (COL) Ron Crews, executive director for Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty. “Such discrimination is contrary to the very mission of the Military. Heterosexual couples deserve the same benefits and should not be treated as second class citizens while they risk their lives every day for this country.”
Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty is an organization of chaplain endorsers, the faith groups that provide chaplains for the U.S. military and other agencies needing chaplains. The endorsers in Chaplain Alliance speak for more than 2,600 chaplains serving the Armed Forces.
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