Three of the six branches of the U.S. Military faced backlash on Wednesday after publishing tweets celebrating the start of LGBT community’s Pride Month.
The tweet that generated by far the most controversy was from the U.S. Marine Corps, which posted a picture of a helmet with rainbow-colored bullets.
“Throughout June, the USMC takes #Pride in recognizing and honoring the contributions of our LGBTQ service members,” the tweet stated. “We remain committed to fostering an environment free from discrimination, and defend the values of treating all equally, with dignity and respect. #PrideMonth #USMC”
Throughout June, the USMC takes #Pride in recognizing and honoring the contributions of our LGBTQ service members. We remain committed to fostering an environment free from discrimination, and defend the values of treating all equally, with dignity and respect.#PrideMonth #USMC pic.twitter.com/MOyvFmyJiB
— U.S. Marines (@USMC) June 1, 2022
Notable responses to the tweet included a variety of mocking and sarcastic reactions:
- Antonio Garcia Martinez, writer: “The arc of history is long, and it bends toward reality becoming an Onion meme from a decade ago.”
- Josh Hammer, Newsweek: “Good to know our military has its priorities in order.”
- Tim Pool, YouTuber: “I love the rainbow bullets. I wonder if its like a pigs blood thing and meant to offend the religious groups whose children we kill overseas.”
- Adam Herman, writer: “The military tweeting out rainbow bullets is a perfect self-parody of American interests.”
- Mike Hahn, Republican strategist: “Shouldn’t the military be busy telling Russia the exact time, location and type of weapons we’re sending to Ukraine?”
- Wajahat Ali, writer: “Good lord. This is real.”
- Gerry Callahan, radio host: “Wait. This is real? Rainbow bullets? THE MARINE CORPS? God help us. The wokesters have infected everything.”
- Angela Morabito, political commentator: “They really went looking for a symbol of inclusion and went with – I cannot stress this enough – bullets.”
- Tycho Brahe, commentator: “I’m not like a designer or anything but I feel like having the tips of the literal bullets in the pride colors might be communicating a different message than they hoped.”
- Nic Keaney, Twitter: “This gives me the ick.”
The U.S. Air Force also published a tweet, which stated: “Happy Pride Month!”
“We are the best #USAF by leveraging the diverse backgrounds & strengths of each member of our total force,” the tweet said. “We are committed to making the #AirForce a place where all can reach their full potential. #PRIDE #Pridemonth.”
The Daily Wire’s Ben Shapiro responded, “Our Air Force’s success has literally nothing to do with the subjective sense of sexual fulfillment of its members.”
Our Air Force's success has literally nothing to do with the subjective sense of sexual fulfillment of its members https://t.co/00D99yQY2p
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) June 1, 2022
The U.S. Space Force published an interview from Maj. Gen. Leah Lauderback about how the military is “working to change policy, change minds, and create opportunities for LGBTQ+ members of the military.”
