Brody the wonder pup
News Round-Up: April 23, 2021
Pentagon Refuses To Acknowledge Pride Month For First Time Since ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
For the first time in six years, senior Pentagon officials have declined to acknowledge LGBTQ Pride Month.
Ever since the misguided ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy was repealed in 2012, the Pentagon has issued an official memo which served as an official endorsement of Pride Month and effectively encouraged local events.
A former senior Obama administration official, speaking off the record, told The Washington Post, “It makes it known that there’s an authorization, that there’s support.”
But this year, there was no memorandum issued for Pride.
That said, there was an event held at the Pentagon on Monday by DoD Pride, the LGBTQ employee group at the Defense Department. However, unlike previous years no high-level department officials showed up to address the crowd.
According to The Washington Blade, the tension at the DoD event was “palpable” as folks were keenly aware of the elephant in the room – President Trump’s proposed ban on transgender service members.
Even though the policy proposal is held up in four federal courts, LGBTQ military service members are wary.
In another sign of lagging support, the Defense Department’s Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity’s web site lists event-specific posters designed for Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and Dr. Martin Luther King Day. But nothing for Pride Month.
So, DoD had to create its own poster (see above).
When asked why there was no official declaration this year, Pentagon spokewoman Air Force Maj. Carla Gleason sidestepped the question.
“The Department of Defense supports diversity of all kinds across our military and we encourage everyone to celebrate the diversity of our total force team,” said Gleason. “We value all members of the DOD total force and recognize their immense contributions to the mission.”
This is also the second year that Donald Trump’s White House failed to acknowledge Pride Month.
There were presidential proclamations to recognize June as Great Outdoors Month, National Ocean Month, National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, African-American Music Appreciation Month, and National Homeownership Month, but no presidential proclamation for Pride Month.
Another clear sign from the Trump administration that it does not support LGBTQ service members. https://t.co/rW7SJQ5Y7V @OutServeSLDN @RepAnthonyBrown @jefftaylorhuman— NewNowNext (@NewNowNext) June 12, 2018
@PentagonPresSec As a #USMC Vet, I am totally disgusted with Pentagon not recognizing #PrideMonth— Ranger Douglas (@ukitena2) June 12, 2018
Defense Department On Pride Month: “We Celebrate The Diversity Of The Total Force”
Donald Trump may be ignoring Pride Month, but following in the U.S. Navy’s example, the Department of Defense issued this statement observing Pride Month.
The Defense Department is observing June as LGBT Pride Month to recognize DoD’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members and civilians. DoD Pride, an employee resource group, is hosting its annual celebration June 12 at the Pentagon.
Tolerance and Justice
“The struggles, sacrifices and successes among the LGBT community continue to shape our history and remind us to uphold tolerance and justice for all,” Anthony M. Kurta wrote in a memo announcing the observance today. Kurta is performing the duties of the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness.
“Integrity and respect are fundamental qualities of our military and civilian culture,” Kurta noted in the memo.
Celebrating Diversity
“As we celebrate the diversity of the total force, we honor all who have answered the call to serve, and their unwavering commitment to our shared mission,” he wrote. “During the month of June, let us celebrate the diversity of the DoD workforce and rededicate ourselves to equity, dignity and respect for all.”