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The Department of Defense is really pushing its Pride-themed agenda of “Equality Without Exception” this year.
Right before June arrived, Gil Cisneros, the Pentagon’s undersecretary for personnel and readiness, issued a memorandum for senior Pentagon leadership regarding Pride month. In this memorandum, Cisneros said the theme should emphasize a workplace of inclusion and professionalism.
As such, the Pentagon is hosting a myriad of events to celebrate the month, some of which are notably at the taxpayers’ expense. One memorandum in particular issued by the director of the Air Force’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion shows that the branch was given permission to use “unit funds” to pay for travel and participation costs for such events.
Other events feature officials speaking against what they deem to be “dangerous” or “concerning” treatment of people in this community.
For example, Space Force Chief Operating Officer Lt. Gen. DeAnna Burt specifically pointed out the “more than 400 anti-LGBTQ+ laws that have been introduced at the state level.” She he said these could be “dangerous for service members, their families and the readiness of the force as a whole.”
This was a reference to laws in Republican-led states that have banned transgender treatments for minors and discussions of sexual identity around underage kids in schools, among other such legislation.
The Space Force COO’s comments also reflected those of President Joe Biden, who called the laws hateful.
In addition, Assistant Air Force Secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Alex Wagner previously expressed worries that families with children affiliated with the Pride community would feel forced to move because their kids are experiencing bullying and harassment.
While the DoD marches on with its support for the Pride movement, the month has not transpired without some bits of controversy. First and foremost, Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada cancelled a scheduled “all-ages drag show.”
The request to cancel the event came from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who had previously expressed support for his Department’s celebration of Pride month. It follows a Congressional testimony made by Austin in March, in which he told the House Armed Services Committee that drag shows “are not something the Defense Department supports or funds.”
An Air Force official confirmed the cancellation of the show saying it is in line with “Secretary Austin’s testimony,” even though that base has held two other drag shows in years past.
The other bit of controversy came in the form of social media.
It’s not a surprise that every June companies and entities around the U.S. will change their profile pictures or background pictures to something Pride-themed.
The U.S. Navy had followed suit at the start of the month, before quickly deleting it’s pride-themed avatars as well as any posts related to the start of Pride Month.
Speaking to The Hill, a Navy spokespersons said the branch “posted graphics in support of the start of Pride month” but will now “look for additional opportunities to celebrate the diversity and strength of our Sailors.”
This follows what appears to be an intentional effort from some companies and entities to watch how they promote this agenda following the backlash that companies like Bud Light and Target have received.