(Image Source: Instinct Magazine )

 

BY LOGAN TITTLE

 

The U.S. Department of Defense has given all active-duty military personnel the OK to march in a San Diego gay pride parade on Saturday. WJMN and WRC have more.

 

“Pentagon announced the decision yesterday as a one-time exception to its policy barring U.S. troops from all civilian parades. San Diego parade officials say about 400 men and women from all branches of service will take part.”

 

“The move comes after last year’s repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ That policy banned gays from serving openly in the military. The pentagon then saluted gay and lesbian troops for the first time last month.”

 

This is the first time gay personnel will be allowed to wear their uniforms in a gay pride parade. CNN reports the decision will only apply to Saturday’s event …

 

… and service members can only wear their uniforms under the conditions granted by the department’s guidelines of participating “‘in a personal capacity’ and follow set standards of ‘appearance and wear of the military uniform.’”

 

According to the BBC , the executive director of San Diego LGBT Pride thinks of this as a good sign, but not a final one.

 

" … San Diego Pride is honoured to have the privilege of celebrating our country and our service members with dignity and respect...The fight for equality is not over and it is not easy, but this is a giant leap in the right direction."

 

But is it really an effort at equality — or just good PR? KNSD reports individuals already had the authority to grant military members the right to wear their uniforms—

 

“However, approval at a higher level was granted ‘now since the event has garnered national media attention...’”

 

And the Telegraph reports a second memo was released Thursday stating …

 

“ … for parades other than the San Diego event … local commanders are given discretion in allowing service members to participate unless it is ‘likely to garner national or international interest or news coverage.’”

 

But regardless of intentions — the Belfast Telegraph quotes a former sailor and organizer of the event saying this is a great opportunity that makes sense.

 

"They don't fight in T-shirts. They fight in uniforms. This is about showing who they are."

 

The Associated Press reports more than 50,000 people are expected to attend the parade.