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Navy Removes LGBTQ+ Pride Posts Amid Social Media Backlash, Falling Enrolment

Charlie Kirk Staff

06/06/2023

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Navy Removes LGBTQ+ Pride Posts Amid Social Media Backlash, Falling Enrolment

The US Navy has quietly taken down posts celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride month from its social media accounts, including rainbow banners that featured the word “Pride,” as enrolment in America’s armed forces continues to plummet.

The posts, which displayed Navy vessels and aircraft with rainbow trails, were removed without explanation. The removal also came amid backlash online from GOP politicians and observers.

A Twitter account called “End Wokeness” drew attention to the fact that the Navy had also taken down an LGBTQ+ Pride banner on its account.

When questioned about the removal, a US Navy spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the graphics were originally posted to honor LGBTQ+ service members and personnel who defend the country.

The spokesperson emphasized that the Navy values the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community and aims to provide an inclusive environment.

The Navy has not provided an official explanation for the removal of the posts, though previously obtained emails indicate that officials were hesitant about allowing comments on social media posts promoting Pride month due to anticipated backlash, especially after blowback to companies like Target and Bud Light.

GOP lawmakers like Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), have recently pressured the military to end diversity and inclusion initiatives, including taxpayer-funded promotion of Pride month. Rep. Roy recently sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin demanding information on all Pride month celebrations sponsored or supported by the military.

In response to these efforts, the Department of Defense canceled a “child-friendly” drag show at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada after Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) demanded answers from Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley.

According to NBC News, every branch of the military has had trouble reaching their recruitment numbers:

“Every branch of the U.S. military is struggling to meet its fiscal year 2022 recruiting goals, say multiple U.S. military and defense officials, and numbers obtained by NBC News show both a record low percentage of young Americans eligible to serve and an even tinier fraction willing to consider it,” they report.

“The officials said the Pentagon’s top leaders are now scrambling for ways to find new recruits to fill out the ranks of the all-volunteer force. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks consider the shortfall a serious issue, said the officials, and have been meeting on it frequently with other leaders.”

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Charlie Kirk is the Founder and President of Turning Point USA, a national student movement dedicated to empowering young people to promote the principles of free markets and limited government.

Charlie is also the host of “The Charlie Kirk Show” podcast, which regularly ranks among the top-10 news shows on Apple podcast news charts, and is the host of the nationally syndicated daily radio show on the Salem Radio Network live from 12 - 3 PM ET.
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