Marine Corps ‘Pride Month’ post misses the mark

by Sarah Sicard at militarytimes.com

Each year, companies and allies alike take to social media on June 1 to express support for LGBTQIA+ persons with rainbow displays for Pride Month. This year, the U.S. Marine Corps joined them with a post of a helmet sporting a row of multi-colored 5.56 mm NATO rounds and a message for queer troops.

“During the month of June, the Marine Corps takes #Pride in recognizing and honoring the contributions of our LGBTQ service members,” the post reads. “We remain committed to fostering an environment free from discrimination, and defend the values of treating all equally, with dignity and respect.”

Unfortunately, the graphic and message did not seem to resonate for many commenters on Twitter and Instagram.

“Quit being woke,” wrote user @LandonWall87.

Another called out the Corps for getting involved in identity politics.

“All Marines are green,” wrote user @Jonathan.Mawby. “No colors. No preferences. No special treatment or celebration of any sub-group or category. Just Marines. Leave it at that. Keep social experiments, trendy buzz words, and politics out of it!”

On Twitter, former Fox News producer Kyle Becker wrote, “The culture wars are not one the Marines were formed to fight. You represent all Americans & not just Woke socialists weaponizing sexual orientation to attack traditional nuclear family & Christian values. Tolerate, yes. Champion a side in a cultural debate? Not your mission.”

Some, however, took to the comments to defend LGBTQIA+ service members and praised the Marine Corps for supporting Pride Month.

“Why is it the majority of people bitching are the ones who never served?” wrote user @hey_its_baloo. “Good leaders understand that representation matters. The LGBTQ+ community has served in every war and engagement since the beginning of this country.”

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