Obama's Pentagon to allow service members to march in uniform in gay pride parade for first time
The Wash. Post says "The Defense Department on Thursday announced it is allowing service members to march in uniform in a gay pride parade for the first time in U.S. history.
In a memorandum sent to all its branches, the department said it was making the allowance for San Diego's gay pride parade on Saturday even though its policy generally bars troops from marching in uniform in parades.
The Defense Department said it did so because organizers had encouraged military personnel to march in their uniform and the event was getting national attention."
The San Diego Union Tribune says "Active-duty service members participating in Saturday's San Diego Pride Parade will be permitted to wear their uniforms for the first time ever, the Defense Department announced Thursday."
The decision came one day after the Navy cleared its sailors to wear uniforms provided they participate in a personal capacity and adhere to military standards of appearance.
The Defense Department extended the Navy's decision to all branches of the military. The memo, released by René Bardorf, deputy assistant secretary of defense for community and public outreach, stated that the guidelines are in effect only for the 2012 San Diego Pride Parade.
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jul/19/military-can-wear-uniforms-parade/