Lots of news today, but this one shouldn't go unnoticed.
The first gay marriage took place on a military base --Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. We've come a long way.
Congratulations to Tech Sgt. Erwynn Umali and his partner, Will Behrens. Kudos to the chain of command. I know it is technically a civil union, but it's news worth noting.
A few excerpts below the swirly goodness. I won't have much commentary as none is really needed. (I searched with my poor search skills, and I hope this isn't a repeat diary. The blessed event happend a month ago, but the news was dated July 19.)
Via ABC news:
Two men became the first same-sex couple to marry on a military base when they held their wedding ceremony last month at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey.
The whole article is worth reading. It's a great family story.
I'm a retired military guy. As my username would indicate, I was a right-winger for most of my career, but even then, I wasn't ever interested in the sex lives of those I served with. I do appreciate this Airman and his partner getting hitched on base. That took guts, and guts is enough, as they say.
Now from the same article:
Despite their civil union, the federal Defense of Marriage Act means they donât have the same legal rights as heterosexual married couples, something they say they would like to see changed.
One of the things that makes the U.S. military a great organization, in my own opinion, is the "socialist meritocracy" construct. They take care of family housing, health, extra pay for heterosexual couples, etc. (The meritocracy part is just my way to capture the general idea of getting promoted based on merit, and yes I'm aware the socialist part is being eroded right before our eyes as benefits go on the chopping block in favor of hardware and the industrial complex).
Not to be left out, the most-absurd excuse for a political party, the one who dares to claim they share the lineage of Presidents Lincoln, Eisenhower and others, has attempted to ban such unions on base.
Via Politico
Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) introduced an amendment on Thursday that would ban same-sex marriage on any military facility and prohibit any military chaplain from performing gay marriage ceremonies.
I have nothing else to say about Rep. King or his party. They are collectively on the wrong side of history.
Caveat: I don't know all the GLBT issues, so if I've misrepresented any major facet of the first gay marriage on a U.S. military base, please let me know. Thanks.
6:28 PM PT: Attention: As commenter jpmassar points out (read his comment) calling this a marriage isn't correct. It's headline speak. They do deserve the benefits of marriage under the law and military construct. We've not come far enough.