The Pentagon has directed a Nevada Air Force base to cancel a drag show scheduled for the first day of Pride Month, deeming such events as “not a suitable use” of federal funds and resources.
iThe Department of Defense instructed the Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas to either relocate the drag performance off military grounds or altogether cancel it.
Sabrina Singh, Deputy Press Secretary, confirmed that the DOD will not host drag events at U.S. military installations or facilities, stating that such events are not a suitable use of Department resources. This decision comes despite the event being previously approved by Air Force officials and promoted as a “family-friendly” showcase with no age restrictions.
“The DOD will not host drag events at U.S. military installations or facilities. Hosting these types of events in federally funded facilities is not a suitable use of DOD resources,” Singh, deputy press secretary, announced.
The Nellis base has a history of hosting drag events, including the historic “Drag-u-Nellis” show in June 2021. During that time, Air Force officials defended the event, citing it as an opportunity for attendees to learn about the history and significance of drag performance art within the LGBT+ community.
Insiders disclosed that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley issued the order to cancely the event, prompting strong reactions from US and defense insiders. Milley reportedly expressed visible anger upon learning about the event earlier in the week.
An Air Force official stated that drag events would no longer be hosted at Air Force installations or facilities, and commanders have been instructed to either cancel or relocate such events off-base.
This decision follows a letter from Florida Representative Matt Gaetz, which highlighted six drag shows and criticized the Department of Defense’s use of taxpayer dollars for these events.
Gaetz had previously questioned Defense Secretary Austin and Chairman Milley about the appropriateness of drag performances and story hours funded by taxpayers, to which Austin categorically stated that the Department does not fund drag queen story hours. Milley expressed his disagreement with such events but claimed to be unaware of their occurrence.
