The US Navy has cleaned up its social media of Pride posts and removed its rainbow banner just two days into Pride Month as it continues to distance itself from controversial topics.
On Thursday – the first day of Pride Month – the US Navy reportedly changed its social media banners to feature a multicolored photo of naval equipment streaked with Pride flags.
A day later, the Navy profiles all switched to a photo taken from an airplane flying by a Navy vessel.
Additionally, he deleted posts from Twitter and Instagram where the Navy said it was “proud of all of our sailors.”
“Those who have raised their right hands serving our nation with certainty in uncertain times to protect and preserve freedom for all. #PrideMonth,” the post read.
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro released a statement Friday afternoon regarding Pride Month, writing, “The Department of the Navy (DON) joins the Nation in celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gay and intersex (LBGTQI+) Pride Month during the month of June.
On Thursday – the first day of Pride Month – the US Navy reportedly changed its social media banners to feature a multicolored photo of naval equipment streaked with Pride flags
A day later, the Navy profiles all switched to a photo taken from a plane flying by a Navy ship
“The DON’s LGBTQI+ community members served from every base, ship, shipyard and installation. Pride Month holds great significance for this community and its allies as it commemorates the Stonewall Riots of 1960 as a foundation for LGBTQI+ people to discover and celebrate their inherent pride.
“Today, LBGTQI+ sailors, marines, civilians, and contractors work alongside their colleagues to develop creative solutions to today’s complex naval challenges, and they defend our nation to execute our mission and defeat our adversaries. ”
He did not explain why the posts and the banner were removed. DailyMail.com has asked for comment.
In emails reviewed by FoxNewsNavy officials said they were hesitant to allow subscribers to comment on Pride Month posts because of expected reactions from “trolls and ugliness”.
Another official called homophobic followers “bigots” and “a**holes”.
Additionally, he deleted posts from Twitter and Instagram where the Navy said it was “proud of all of our sailors.”
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro in a statement in support of Pride Month
Del Toro wrote: ‘The Department of the Navy (DON) joins the Nation in celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LBGTQI+) Pride Month during the month of June
Recently, the Navy tried to distance itself from controversial topics and canceled a drag show that was supposed to take place at Nellis Base in Nevada.
The broadcast was interrupted by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, who claimed such events “did not constitute an appropriate use of funds and resources. federal”.
The event – which encouraged friends and neighbors to attend, with no minimum age requirement – was first approved by Air Force officials before being shot down by the nation’s top brass.
Milley was ‘visibly angry’ when told of the event, sources said NBC.
The DOD gave two options: cancel the drag performance or move it off military land. It’s unclear if the event will be moved or if the Pentagon is planning a different event in its place.
The Air Force base has hosted the drag show for the past two years.
The move comes after Austin said drag shows were not funded by the Pentagon during a House Armed Services hearing in March.
The Pentagon has canceled a drag show that was scheduled for Thursday at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada to kick off Pride Month
“Consistent with Secretary Austin’s testimony to Congress, drag events will not be held on military facilities or installations,” a US Department of Defense official said.
Sabrina Singh, Deputy Press Secretary for the Department of Defense, provided a statement to Dailymail.com which read: ‘According to the Joint DoD Ethics Regulations (JER), certain criteria must be met for individuals or organizations acting in a non-Federal capacity may use DoD facilities and equipment.’
“As Secretary Austin said, the DOD will not be holding drag events at U.S. military facilities or installations. Hosting these types of events in federally funded facilities is inconsistent with regulations regarding the use of DoD resources.
“We are proud to serve alongside all young Americans who take the oath that puts their lives on the line in defense of our country,” she added. “Service members and their families are often involved in a host of special interest activities related to their personal hobbies, beliefs and backgrounds.”
The drag show planned to feature Lawanda Jackson, Coco Montrese and Carnie Asada.
Montrese, who was a star of RuPaul’s Drag Race, claimed the show was privately funded and did not use taxpayer dollars.
