CANADA: Openly Gay Anglican Priest Appointed To Head Chaplaincy Of Military

An openly gay Anglican priest. Brig.-Gen. John Fletcher, has been appointed to head the chaplaincy of Canada’s military.

His recent appointment is in sharp contrast to past military policy, which allowed discrimination against gays and lesbians. Fletcher said he came out not long after a landmark court decision struck down the rule in 1992, alleviating his fears about what could happen to his career if he did come out. Fletcher acknowledges that some may find it odd, or even scandalous, that he is a career military man, a priest and homosexual. “I equally understand that some people will be excited and encouraged by the openness of my own church, to allow me to exercise this ministry and certainly encouraged that I’m free to work within a Canadian military that simply doesn’t discriminate on (the basis of) these things,” he said.