The Pentagon has enforced a militarywide ban on drag show performances, reigniting a heated debate on the role of diversity and inclusivity in the military. The move follows the cancellation of a drag show at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada and is seen as a response to criticism from Republican lawmakers who have disapproved of the Pentagon’s support for drag shows and diversity programs. This enforcement marks the first time senior Department of Defense (DoD) officials have actively imposed such a policy.
Deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh explained that nongovernment individuals and organizations must meet certain criteria to use DoD facilities and equipment. However, the decision to ban the shows has been decried as a violation of LGBTQ culture and national defense rights by the Human Rights Campaign. The ban is viewed as contradicting the Pentagon’s official statement for Pride Month, which highlighted the importance of broadening freedoms and ensuring LGBTQ individuals can continue to serve.
Republican lawmakers have praised the ban as a positive first step towards eradicating what they term ‘wokeness’ from the military.
The use of drag queens in military recruitment has criticized as a disgrace to former service members. This pressure has been further intensified by the Senate, where Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) has proposed legislation to prohibit Pentagon funding for drag shows on military bases.
The Pentagon’s backpedaling from the culture wars during Pride Month extends to social media, where official Navy accounts have removed posts celebrating the month. For instance, the U.S. Navy deleted an Instagram post featuring a fighter jet painted in LGBTQ flag colors.
The Modern Military Association of America has expressed its disappointment over the ban and is working with the Pentagon and the Biden administration to determine next steps. The group reiterated the significance of drag performances in military history and stressed the importance of LGBTQ diversity in the armed forces for morale and cohesion.
