Roughly two months ago, Rep. Matt Gaetz believed he had secured a commitment from the Pentagon to end taxpayer-funded drag shows on military installations.
Yet on Tuesday, the Fort Walton Beach Republican issued a letter to the Defense Department’s head honchos that highlighted its “pervasive and persistent use of taxpayer dollars for drag events” and demanded to know how another such event was planned for Pride Month, despite denials that they were occurring.
“I find it completely unacceptable that DoD [Department of Defense] is using taxpayer dollars to fund DEI [diversity, equity, and inclusion] programs that are divisive in nature. DoD resources should be used for mission-essential operations, not diverted toward initiatives that create cultural fissures within our service ranks,” Gaetz wrote to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley.
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Gaetz recalled that at a House Armed Services Committee hearing on March 29, he highlighted specific cases of drag queen story hours and drag shows that were happening on U.S. military bases.
“Shockingly, you indicated you were unaware that such events are taking place,” Gaetz wrote. “However, I am pleased to know you do not support these drag events and agree with me that they should not be happening.” Gaetz then listed several examples of the DoD’s “pervasive and persistent use” of taxpayer funding for drag events.
They included:
- May 27, 2022: Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany. Local drag queen Stacey Teed planned to hold a 30-minute story time for kids at an on-base library. A librarian at the base publicly complained that the event was canceled “due to a minority of people that have nothing to do with our base community.”
- June 17, 2022: Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. 99th Air Base Wing hosted a drag show at the Nellis Club on post featuring multiple drag performers.
- June 30, 2022: Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. Drag performers, the “Mister Sisters,” hosted Drag Storytime and Drag Trivia at the Malmstrom AFB library and The Grizzly Bend.
- July 30, 2022: Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. Col. Gregory Beualieu, commander of the 633d Air Base Wing, approved the “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Summer Festival,” and provided funding for “logistical requirements,” such as a tent, stage, tables, and chairs. Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley, a drag performer known as “Harpy Daniels,” who is also known as “The Navy Drag Queen,” performed at the “family-friendly” event.
- March 3, 2023: The U.S. Navy hires Kelley to be the face of a recruitment drive, serving as a “digital ambassador.” According to reports, this invitation was part of a recent effort “to attract the most talented and diverse workforce” and combat plunging recruitment.
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Gaetz posed multiple questions about each event.
But in each case, he essentially sought to know what military resources went into the planning and execution of each event, whether the DoD would issue guidance or take disciplinary action for the “misuse” of military funding for drag events; and if the department advertises or promotes these drag events to the general public.
Gaetz then noted that Nellis Air Force Base had announced another “family-friendly” drag show organized by the Nellis LGBTQ+ Pride Council for June 1.
“In this latest outright attack on children, this event is being advertised as having no minimum age requirement,” Gaetz wrote.
He then asked Austin if he intended to formally retract and apologize for his March 29 testimony to the House Armed Services Committee that the Pentagon does not fund or support drag shows.
In light of the Nellis AFB notice, he also asked Austin and Milley:
“Does the DoD feel it’s appropriate for children to attend a sexualized drag performance? Why are base commanders defying your intent and direction by facilitating drag events?”
He gave them until June 12 to respond, including providing “clarification on whether any punitive action has or will be taken against individuals who facilitated drag events with taxpayer dollars.”
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