At the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), we often receive complaints of unequal treatment towards LGBTQ service members, often stemming from the religious beliefs of superiors and chaplains regarding same-sex marriage. One area where this is prevalent is in the military’s marriage retreats. Such was the case earlier this week when MRFF was contacted by sailors at Naval Air Station Jacksonville who found the registration form for the Chaplain’s Religious Enrichment Development Operation (CREDO) marriage retreats to be clearly discriminatory towards same-sex couples.
Although the statement on the form began “It is the Department of Defense’s policy to treat all married military couples equally,” it ended “The chaplain leading this retreat views marriage as being between a man and woman."
While a chaplain who is religiously opposed to same-sex marriage is not required to minister to same-sex couples, it is necessary to have a chaplain from an LGBTQ-friendly denomination available to accommodate same-sex couples and give them the equal access to marriage retreats that they are entitled to.
When the efforts of the sailors and other DoD personnel to correct the situation themselves through military channels failed, they reached out to an an allied organization who referred them to MRFF. One of the now-MRFF-clients sent the following description of the situation in an email to MRFF founder and president Mikey Weinstein (emphasis added):
“Greetings Mikey,
“I am an Active Duty Sailor stationed at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, in Jacksonville, FL. I am writing to you today to express my concerns related to a statement found on Chaplain's Religious Enrichment Development Operation (CREDO) "Marriage Enrichment Retreat" registration forms. Due to the retaliation, reprisal, and revenge that can occur as a result of my going public with this concern, I request confidentiality and anonymity should this communication be forwarded or published.
“A statement on a registration form to sign up for a CREDO Marriage Enrichment Retreat, states the following:
“It is the Department of Defense’s policy to treat all married military couples equally. Marriage Enrichment Retreats are open to all married military couples. The goal of the retreat is to strengthen relationship skills in an environment that is free from the every-day distractions of life. Participants, chaplains, and support personnel in these retreats may have religious views that differ from your own religious views. This retreat will be conducted in a manner that is sensitive to the diverse religious, spiritual, moral, cultural, and personal beliefs of the participants. The chaplain leading this retreat views marriage as being between a man and woman.’
“As an active-duty servicemember who has taken a sacred oath to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States," I am absolutely appalled that despite the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), five years later, same-sex military couples are still not enjoying the same benefits enjoyed by the rest of us because according to the statement above, same-sex couples cannot attend a marriage enrichment retreat out of respect for the Chaplain's religious beliefs. Although the statement does state, ‘Marriage Enrichment Retreats are open to all military couples,’ since it ends with "the chaplain leading this retreat views marriage as being between a man and woman,’ most people would interpret that statement to mean that the chaplain does not recognize same-sex marriage, therefore the couple is not married and cannot attend the retreat. …”
MRFF, now representing twenty-six sailors and other DoD personnel at the station, immediately took action, with Mikey quickly getting the proper senior Naval officer on the phone, and following the phone call up with this email:
“…….thx for the call just now, Capt. Love….MRFF is presently representing 26 U.S. sailors and other DoD personnel on this outrageous and shameful matter below at NAS Jacksonville…..one of them outlines the sordid matter below [email quoted above was attached] ….please review and kindly have someone get back to us ASAP……Admiral Mary Jackson needs to please take action NOW to stop this illicit travesty!!.....most grateful…..MIkey Weinstein…Founder and President, Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF)…..standing by at 505-250-7727”
Mikey’s vigorous efforts were successful within 48 hours, and yesterday he received the following email from the Force Chaplain, stating that the discriminatory registration form would no longer be used and that CREDO services, including marriage retreats, are available to ALL military personnel regardless of sexual orientation (emphasis added):
“Mr. Weinstein,
“Thank you for reaching out to CNIC concerning the Chaplains Religious Enrichment Operation (CREDO) program registration forms. I am responding on behalf of VADM Jackson.
“CNIC and Marine Corps Installation Command (MCICOM) provide CREDO retreats according to guidelines established by the Navy Chief of Chaplains, whose office is responsible for the program and related policy. Earlier this month, CNIC requested a legal review of the retreat registration forms specific to the language defining marriage between two parties. Based upon that review, the registration form cited by the concerned service member in the letter below is no longer in use by CNIC. CNIC is committed to making available important CREDO services to all military personnel and their families regardless of sexual orientation.
“Please also note that in response to the spread of COVID-19, CNIC has suspended all CREDO programs until after 15 May.
“We appreciate you bringing this concern to our attention and allowing us to take immediate action to address. If you have further concerns regarding the CREDO program, we recommend contacting the office of the Navy Chief of Chaplains.
“VR,
Richard A. Bonnette
CAPT, CHC, USN
Force Chaplain”
Kudos to the sailors and other DoD personnel at Naval Air Station Jacksonville who took a stand for the equal rights of ALL service members, and to Chaplain Bonnette for doing the right thing!