GOP Rep Issues Demand for the Military Involving Pride Month Activities

By Bradley Cortright June 1, 2023 at 4:01pm

(Win McNamee/Getty Images)

A House Republican is issuing a demand for the military for information on how much money it is spending on LGBTQ+ “observance” activities.

In a letter obtained by Fox News, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) wrote, “It has come to our attention that the Department of Defense (DoD) will once again divert American families’ tax dollars away from advancing its mission to ‘deter war and ensure our nation’s security’ to the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) events during the month of June 2023.”

“According to a May 3, 2023 memo from the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs and the Director of Diversity and Inclusion entitled, ‘Department of the Air Force Observance of LGBTQ Pride Month, June 2023,’ installation commanders are ’empowered to plan and conduct appropriate activities in honor of Pride Month,'” he continued.

The letter went on:

“As our nation faces threats around the globe, the DoD should be solely focused on mission critical activities that advance military readiness and lethality to deter and, if necessary, to defeat our adversaries. Expending vital resources on this type of political maneuvering, most apparent during the month of June, is inconsistent with the national security interests of the United States and is an inexcusable use of taxpayer dollars.”

Roy added, “Furthermore, pressuring commanders to publicly demonstrate their allegiance to this agenda will further erode the unity within our service ranks and the public’s confidence in our fighting force.”

The Texas congressman told Fox News Digital, “Our military is in a historic recruiting crisis. Our enemies around the world are laughing at us while growing stronger and bolder every single day.”

“The military’s purpose is to defend America and her interests against those around the world who want to destroy us — not to use taxpayer money to advance woke ideology,” he continued.

He laid out a request for several pieces of information such as how “each LGBTQ+ observance activity that each DoD service component (including Guard and Reserve) authorizes, approves, or encourages during the month of June 2023 advances military readiness or lethality.”

Roy also asked for copies of “any promotional materials and/or written communication distributed to service members or DoD civilians to advertise each LGBTQ+ observance activity that each DoD
service component (including Guard and Reserve) authorizes, approves, or encourages.”

Finally, the letter sought “the amount of appropriated or non-appropriated funds, as well as the total number and cost of military, civilian, and contractor workhours, that each DoD service components (including Guard and Reserve) requires to plan, host, promote, or otherwise carry out each LGBTQ+ observance activity.”

Roy’s letter comes as it was reported a drag show at Nevada’s Nellis Air Force Base was canceled.

NBC News reported the event was approved by Air Force leaders.

However, it added that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, stepped in and “told the Air Force it is not Pentagon policy to fund drag shows on bases and the show should be canceled or moved off base.”

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who previously grilled Austin and Milley about drag shows on military bases tweeted, “HUGE VICTORY: The Department of Defense has CANCELED a scheduled ‘child-friendly’ drag show after I demanded answers from [Austin] and General Milley!”

HUGE VICTORY: The Department of Defense has CANCELED a scheduled "child-friendly" drag show after I demanded answers from @SecDef Austin and General Milley!

Drag shows should not be taking place on military installations with taxpayer dollars PERIOD!

READ:… https://t.co/YDByQihQod pic.twitter.com/vnJiuFlh2z

— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) May 31, 2023