Despite being approved by Air Force leaders for Pride Month, Pentagon officials intervene to cancel the event.
The Pentagon has stepped in to halt a drag show planned for Thursday at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. The show, initially approved by Air Force leadership, was part of the base’s Pride Month celebrations. However, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley intervened, instructing the Air Force to cancel the event. The decision reflects broader concerns about military spending and LGBTQ+ events on bases.
The drag performance was initially planned as a way to celebrate Pride Month and promote inclusivity within the military. However, both Austin and Milley stated that it was not in line with Pentagon policy to fund drag shows on military installations. This move has sparked further debate about how the military handles LGBTQ+ celebrations and the appropriateness of certain events.
The Air Force had initially given the green light for the event, but after consultation with higher officials in the Pentagon, it was determined that such an event should not take place on a military base. Officials emphasized that while Pride Month celebrations are encouraged, the Pentagon wants to avoid events that could be viewed as controversial or outside of traditional military operations.
This cancellation comes amid a rising political dispute surrounding drag shows and LGBTQ+ events within the military. Conservatives, including some lawmakers and media figures, have criticized the military’s support of such events, arguing that taxpayer money should not be used to fund them. They contend that such performances do not align with the military’s mission and can create unnecessary division.
On the other hand, many LGBTQ+ advocates have pushed for the inclusion of drag shows and other Pride Month celebrations as a way to recognize and support the military’s LGBTQ+ service members. Pride events on military bases were seen as an opportunity to foster inclusion and equality within the armed forces, but the Pentagon’s decision to cancel the event signals a shift in how such events are handled.
The situation has drawn attention to the ongoing struggle over LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S. military. While previous administrations had supported more inclusive policies, the current decision reflects a more conservative stance on such issues. This event is one of many where the intersection of politics and military policy has led to a reevaluation of military cultural practices.
In response to the cancellation, LGBTQ+ advocates and some military members have expressed disappointment, arguing that this decision undermines efforts to create a welcoming environment for all service members. Meanwhile, critics of the event’s approval argue that it was a misuse of government resources. The ongoing debate over such matters is likely to continue, as discussions surrounding the military’s role in LGBTQ+ inclusion evolve.