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U.S. House Adopts Defense Spending Bill With Anti-LGBT Provisions
For immediate release: Friday, May 18, 2012
Contact: Zeke Stokes at (202) 621-5406 or zeke@sldn.org
(WASHINGTON, DC) Army veteran and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis today responded to the House passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), H.R. 4310, that includes provisions adopted in committee last week that seek to limit the use of Department of Defense facilities, affect military chaplains, and undermine successful "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal implementation. The bill passed by a vote of 299-120.
The first of these gives so-called "conscience protections" to chaplains and service members who do not wish to minister and work with gay and lesbian service members. A threat to military readiness and unit cohesion, this amendment would allow service members to actively harass their fellow comrades for their perceived or actual sexual orientation. It would allow chaplains to discriminate against service members by religion, gender, sexual orientation, race, or any other religious belief simply by arguing that ministering to them would be contrary to their "conscience, moral principles, or religious beliefs."
"At SLDN, we are disappointed that this language is a part of the House defense bill. The fact of the matter is, there are already in place adequate protections for chaplains and service members in this area. This language weakens implementation of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal, which Americans support and which our nation's military leaders have said is being implementing smoothly," said Sarvis.
Another provision adopted in committee last week limits the use of Department of Defense property for same-gender marriage ceremonies.
“The Department of Defense has already made it clear that decisions surrounding the use of facilities should be made on a sexual orientation neutral basis. This is yet another attempt by a few opponents of military equality who are looking to turn the clock back on progress and relegate gay and lesbian service members to second-class status,” said Sarvis.
Next week, the Senate Armed Forces Committee begins mark-up on its own version of the NDAA. Differences between House and Senate versions will be addressed in conference committee later this year.
"SLDN has been working all along with our allies in the Senate to ensure these or other harmful provisions are not included in the Senate version of the NDAA and do not survive when the bill gets to conference committee," said Sarvis.
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ABOUT SLDN: Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) is a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America's military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving who may experience harassment or discrimination. Since 1993, our in-house legal team has responded to more than 11,000 requests for assistance.
SLDN FREE HOTLINE: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members with questions are urged to contact the SLDN hotline to speak with a staff attorney: Call 1-800-538-7418 or 202-328-3244 x100.
