A member of the U.S. Navy who has garnered contemporary consideration on social media for additionally being a drag queen hit again at criticism, saying “haters solely hate if you find yourself profitable.”
Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley, who goes by the stage title Harpy Daniels, grew to become a “digital ambassador” for the Navy final 12 months. Kelley, who joined the Navy in 2016, additionally spoke about performing in drag to lift fellow sailors’ morale in a 2018 interview.
Whereas this system concluded in April, Kelley’s function got here to gentle once more in latest days, sparking renewed debate about drag queen ambassadors, a part of a wider dialog concerning drag exhibits and LGBTQ+ expression.
Critics have expressed considerations over Drag Queen Story Hour, readings for youngsters by drag performers at libraries, and have additionally voiced outrage over Jack Daniel’s use of drag queens in advertising.
Lyle Wilkie/U.S. Navy
Kelley’s function as a digital ambassador—which the Navy described as an try to succeed in a wider vary of potential recruits—provoked criticism from many on-line, whereas some defended the appointment. 5 energetic personnel had been chosen for the function and didn’t obtain compensation for his or her work.
Robby Starbuck, a music producer who ran in a Republican congressional main in 2022, described the initiative as “insane” on Tuesday. He added: “The army has an enormous recruiting/retention disaster as a result of they went woke. How did they attempt to repair it? By going extra woke.”
Republican Consultant Jim Banks of Indiana wrote that “Biden DoD’s [Department of Defense] recruitment is nearly as good as Bud Mild’s advertising,” an obvious nod to the backlash the beer model has acquired over a partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
A U.S. Navy spokesperson informed Newsweek: “The Navy is happy with and stands by any one who is prepared to take an oath to place their life on the road in protection of this nation.
“Very similar to the nation we serve, our Navy is stronger after we draw upon our numerous assets, expertise, capabilities and abilities. We stay dedicated to an inclusive atmosphere.”
In a TikTok video launched on Wednesday underneath the Harpy Daniels title, Kelley shows a Twitter put up by which Graham Allen, host of the Pricey America podcast and a self-described Turning Level U.S.A. contributor, wrote: “This isn’t the identical army I served underneath… Our enemies LAUGH at us.”
The video exhibits captions that learn “LGBTQ+ individuals can serve” and “LOUD & PROUD.” Person feedback underneath the video seem overwhelmingly supportive.
“Haters solely hate if you find yourself profitable,” Kelley wrote within the caption to the TikTok put up. “LGBTQ+ individuals by no means may serve open due to DADT [Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell]. Now that we are able to, you possibly can see who the Homphobic [sic] and Transphobic persons are.”
When requested to reply, Allen informed Newsweek: “I meant what I stated, and I am not sorry.”
The U.S. army has not accommodated LGBTQ+ rights with ease. A Division of Protection report for Fiscal 12 months 2016 discovered that 22.8 % of LGBTQ+ energetic service personnel had confronted sexual harassment, in comparison with 6.2 % amongst those that didn’t establish as LGBTQ+.
Even after President Barack Obama repealed the “do not ask, do not inform” coverage in 2011, the army prevented trans people from serving. In 2016, the Pentagon altered its insurance policies, permitting trans individuals to hitch the armed forces.
“The range and acceptance from everybody on the command permits me to be comfy with myself in an expert setting,” Kelley stated in 2020.
“Rising up homosexual wasn’t simple, however having the chance to indicate the world who I’m has impressed many people to be themselves and present there’s a neighborhood who will settle for them for who they’re. This retains me transferring ahead and doing what I like to do at the moment, and that’s being Harpy Daniels.”