The House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday passed an amendment that would halt the Navy’s Digital Ambassador program featuring drag queen servicemen.
In May, the Navy welcomed active-duty drag queen Private Yeoman Joshua Kelly to a pilot program aimed at boosting recruitment. Kelly, whose stage name is Harpy Daniels, describes himself as “non-binary” and frequently posts on Instagram that his Navy lifestyle has been accepted.
of fixA proposal by Republican Indiana Rep. Jim Banks to order the secretary to “suspend all activity” in the Navy’s “digital ambassador program” and provide 60 days after a report on that activity was submitted to the Navy. It was not allowed to restart the program until after . military commission. According to the bank’s amendments, the report should detail program policies and documents, the number of digital ambassadors, selection criteria, mandates and online mandates.
My amendment to suspend the Navy Drag Queens “Digital Ambassador Program” has passed the Military Commission and will be published in the 2024 NDAA.
— Jim Banks (@RepJimBanks) June 21, 2023
The Navy’s use of drag queen ambassadors to facilitate recruitment sparked a backlash from Republicans, including Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Ted Cruz of Texas. Banks pressured Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in May to clarify recent comments that the Pentagon does not “support or fund” drag shows in light of Kelly’s appointment as ambassador. I put on (Related: Army will miss recruitment targets again, secretary says)
Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada will host a drag show in 2021 promoting “inclusion.” Nellis spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Bryon McGarry said the event was “sponsored by a private organization and provided an opportunity for attendees to learn more about the history and importance of drag performance arts in the LGBT+ community.” said.
Despite Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s clarification to Florida Republican Rep. was scheduled to hold a show. The Pentagon then canceled the show, citing it as “not an appropriate use of Pentagon funds.” [Department of Defense] means. “
