President Barack Obama used his authority as Commander in Chief to compel the U.S. military to officially recognize, celebrate and honor June as Gay Pride Month,
The president’s official proclamation reads:
“During Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, we celebrate the proud legacy LGBT individuals have woven into the fabric of our Nation, we honor those who have fought to perfect our Union, and we continue our work to build a society where every child grows up knowing that their country supports them, is proud of them, and has a place for them exactly as they are.”
In issuing this proclamation and ordering that it be published on the Department of Defense website, President Obama is making it clear to the American public that the military supports Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender rights and that Gay Pride is the new normal at the Pentagon.
President Obama did away with the policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” on September 20, 2011 allowing gay service members to express their sexual orientation openly without fear of expulsion or retribution.
During Pride Month three years ago, the DoD quoted an anonymous service member about the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy who said:
“There was this feeling of relief [among gay troops] that not only do I now finally feel like a full-fledged citizen of this country – the country that I put my life on the line to defend more than once – but now I can do my job more efficiently.”
This year, the Defense Department went further with a new press release expressing the departments official policy that:
“During this time (Gay Pride Month), the department recognizes lesbian, gay and bisexual service members and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civilians for their dedicated service to both the DoD mission and to our nation.”
To commemorate Gay Pride Month, the Pentagon will hold its first “gay pride event” at its’ Arlington, Virginia headquarters called “Celebrating Victories that have Affirmed Freedom and Fairness.” The event will showcase President Obama’s pro-gay military agenda that includes the extension of “Same Sex Spousal Benefits” to gay couples and family leave for gays.
In 2014, Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work, a political appointee, said this about gay pride observances:
“I firmly believe that our all-volunteer force is now stronger because of the diversity and culture of inclusion we celebrate this very day and this entire month. The United States military is, without a doubt, the finest in the world today.”
Because military members are expected to salute sharply and follow orders, there were no dissenting views expressed on the DoD website.
