Official US Navy Special Forces page draws backlash for ringing in Pride month: ‘Navy SEALs have gone woke’
6 June 2024 2024-06-06 0:10Official US Navy Special Forces page draws backlash for ringing in Pride month: ‘Navy SEALs have gone woke’
Official US Navy Special Forces page draws backlash for ringing in Pride month: ‘Navy SEALs have gone woke’
By Anders Hagstrom | Fox News
The official Facebook page for the U.S. Navy SEALs and Naval Special Warfare Command was mocked this weekend for marking the start of “pride month.”
Backlash to the post surged when it was highlighted on the popular “Libs of TikTok” page on X, formerly known as Twitter. The post had no caption and included a photo with rainbow designs that read, “NSW. Dignity. Service. Respect. Equality. Pride.”
The Navy Seals have gone woke. Our elite special forces. This is terrifying. pic.twitter.com/9FRsSDx4mP
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 2, 2024
Libs of TikTok shared the post to X on Saturday, writing, “The Navy SEALs have gone woke. Our elite special forces. This is terrifying.”
The special warfare account took steps to limit the accounts that can comment on their post, suggesting administrators knew it would be controversial.
The comment section was nevertheless full of criticism.
“This is a slap in the face of every special warfare operator that has put their lives on the line for our nation,” one person wrote.
“Man this woke s— is like a cancer and needs to be handled and dealt with as a threat to national security. Gone way too far,” another person said.
Not every comment was critical, however, with some users saying the post was positive.
Social media accounts for the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Space Force made no mention of Pride month on Saturday.
The incident comes after the Department of Defense (DoD) appeared to mix up Pride Month and PTSD Awareness Month in a social media post on Saturday.
In an X post published on Saturday afternoon, the Pentagon explained that June marks PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Awareness Month. The commemorative month was first recognized by the U.S. government in June 2014, a year before June also officially became Pride Month.
“June is PTSD Awareness Month and the DoD is committed to supporting service members and veterans affected by PTSD,” the post read.
“If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available,” the DoD added. “You are not alone.”
But the picture attached to the post read “Celebrate Pride Month 2024” with a Progress Pride Flag graphic. The tweet was later deleted and replaced with a PTSD Awareness Month graphic.
💙🇺🇸 Charting a course for equality. Celebrate with the #USNavy this #PrideMonth! ⚓ pic.twitter.com/B77qWaXBd9
— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) June 3, 2024
I’m retired Navy. I’ve flown an American flag at every house I’ve lived in my entire adult life.
This evening, that will change.
I can no longer fly the American flag because, in my opinion, it implies tacit support for where we are as a country. pic.twitter.com/NE6q1oNFPU
— Dick Shivers (@OldSalt68) June 2, 2024
I have not been this ashamed of my community since the Eddie Gallagher case.
What was once a legendary community and an honor to be a part of is now nothing but an embarrassment.
When I was in it was about the country and defending it, none of this nonsense was ever on the… pic.twitter.com/C0hLEHkKOU— Shawn Ryan (@ShawnRyan762) June 5, 2024
This Pride Month, we thank LGBTQ+ Service members for their contributions to our national security. As Secretary of Defense, I remain dedicated to making sure that our LGBTQ personnel across the Joint Force can continue to serve with dignity and respect. We applaud your service –… pic.twitter.com/hs61oK6lzR
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) June 3, 2024
Pride Month is a time to come together to honor the contributions of LGBTQ+ service members. We are committed to ensuring and promoting an atmosphere of dignity and respect for all civilian and military personnel. pic.twitter.com/RyGTDBjUcN
— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) June 1, 2024
DoD 13th Annual LGBTQ+ Pride Event