Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) recently urged fellow Republican lawmakers to pull support for a must-pass military funding bill after an Air Force memo declared the month of June “LGBTQ+ Pride Month.”
The military memo, shared with Fox News, approves the recognition of Pride Month in June and allows Air Force installation leadership to “plan and conduct appropriate activities in honor of Pride Month.”
“Each June, the Department of the Air Force recognizes Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month. During this time, we celebrate the progress we have made towards inclusivity, commemorate the contributions of LGBTQ+ Americans, and recognize the obstacles they have faced and overcome along the way,” the memo states.
Air Force Diversity and Inclusion Director Marianne P. Malizia and Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Alex Wagner wrote, “This is a time to reaffirm our commitment to equality and reinforce the importance of a cohesive and diverse Total Force. One Team; One Fight.”
“Our people are our strategic advantage. During Pride Month — and every month — the DAF will continue our efforts to remove barriers to service, while advancing a respectful and inclusive culture, so our team can apply their talents to their mission and stay focused on the defense of our Nation,” the memo continues. “Our Airmen, Guardians, and their families deserve no less than to work and thrive in an environment worthy of their service and sacrifice.”
Roy condemned the proposed celebrations and blasted the Department of Defense for wasting taxpayer dollars on the encouragement of pro-LBGTQ+ events.
“What’s next, rainbow uniforms during pride month?” Roy said in a statement to Fox News. “The Air Force and Defense Department sanctions this ridiculous use of taxpayer dollars and then expects members of Congress who represent Americans who are livid about this stuff to green light an $800 billion plus DOD budget. If DOD doesn’t put a stop to these kinds of divisive – and frankly embarrassing – DOD events, Republicans should pull support for this year’s [National Defense Authorization Act].”
