Servicemembers Legal Defense Network on Wednesday strongly condemned President Bush’s plan to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Gen. Peter Pace, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

During a March 2007 interview with the Chicago Tribune, Pace called lesbians and gays "immoral" and added, "I believe homosexual acts between two individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts."

“Honoring General Pace with the country’s highest civilian award is outrageous, insensitive, and disrespectful to the 65,000 lesbian and gay troops currently serving on active duty in the armed forces,” said Aubrey Sarvis, SLDN’s executive director, in a press release. “Our men and women in uniform are making tremendous sacrifices for our country and are looking for the president to recognize leaders who offer them praise and vision, not condemnation and scorn.”

President Bush will honor Pace and five other recipients at a White House ceremony on Thursday, June 19.