Pentagon Blocks U.S. Air Force Base from Hosting Drag Show in Celebration of Pride Month

The Pentagon has blocked a U.S. Air Force base in Nevada from hosting a drag show this week, according to multiple news reports. The event was set to take place at Nellis Air Force Base on Thursday, the first day of Pride month. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, reportedly interjected and told the Air Force the department could not fund the event on site.

The show, which was in celebration of Pride Month, was approved by Air Force leaders. However, Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said “hosting these types of events in federally funded facilities is not in line with current Department of Defense policy.”

Drag shows and events on military bases have become a politically contentious issue in recent months, with conservative politicians and pundits arguing the military should not be spending taxpayer money on them. CNN reported Thursday’s canceled show would have been the third annual drag event to be held at the air force base.

The Pentagon’s decision to block the show has been met with criticism from LGBTQ activists and allies, who argue that the military should be more inclusive of its LGBTQ members. The Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ advocacy group, said in a statement that the Pentagon’s decision “sends a dangerous message that the military is not a welcoming place for LGBTQ service members and their families.”

The Pentagon has yet to comment on the criticism or explain why the event was canceled. However, the department’s decision to block the show has been met with disappointment from many in the LGBTQ community, who argue that the military should be more inclusive of its LGBTQ members.