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Chaplain Says DADT Injunction Will Impact Ability To Counsel Soldiers

By Howard M. Friedman

On Tuesday, a California federal district court in Log Cabin Republicans v. United States, (CD CA, Oct. 12, 2010), held, in a lengthy opinion, that the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy violates due process and 1st Amendment speech and petition rights of gay and lesbian members of the armed forces. The accompanying 3-page order imposing a permanent injunction bars enforcement of "don't ask, don't tell" and requires the government to discontinue any pending investigation or discharge under the rules.  Baptist Press yesterday interviewed retired Chaplain (Col.) Keith Travis who is now chaplain team leader for the North American Mission Board, who said:

In order to best serve soldiers, our chaplains need to be able to practice their faith freely. Under this order, there's a question as to whether our chaplains would be able to offer the full counsel of Scripture to soldiers who seek their guidance.

CNN reported yesterday that even though the Obama administration opposes "don't ask, don't tell", the Justice Department is likely to seek an emergency stay of the district court's injunction and, if rejected by the district court, to file an appeal with the 9th Circuit.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on October 14, 2010 (boomark / email).