Gay military in uniform for San Diego pride parade

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The Defense Department announced Thursday 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 military-wide, the Pentagon said it was making an exception to its policy that generally bars troops from marching in uniform in parades unless individuals get approval from their commanders. But only for this year.

It said it was making the exception for Saturday's Gay Pride Parade in San Diego because organizers had encouraged military personnel to march in their uniform, and the event was getting national attention.

Several wanting to march in the parade were told they could not in uniform, while others' commanding officers granted permission.

Last year the parade had the largest contingency of active-duty troops participate before the military lifted its ban on openly gay service members, and participants wore T-shirts with their branch name.

San Diego Pride Executive director Dwayne Crenshaw called it a historic moment. "The fight for equality is not over, and it is not easy, but this is a giant leap in the right direction."

The Pentagon said the exception is only for Saturday and does not extend beyond that.

"I think many people thought after 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' was gone, discriminatory things would be eradicated," said Sean Sala, a former sailor who led the campaign to have uniformed troops in the parade. "But now these parades have become a very sticky subject as far as commanders using their own discretion because they are showing either a bias toward a pride parade, or the right view . . . recognizing who people are."

More than 300 service members have signed up to participate this year, Sala said.

The Pentagon's message said service members should adhere to policy on behavior in uniform. They cannot appear to endorse or selectively benefit groups or individuals, provide a platform for a political message, or appear to be commercially sponsored.