Woke DOD Posts LGBTQ Pride Graphic for PTSD Awareness Month
The Department of Defense (DOD) faced online backlash after mistakenly posting a graphic intended to celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month instead of recognizing PTSD Awareness Month.
Since 2014, June has been designated as PTSD Awareness Month by the federal government. The same month has also been recognized as Pride Month since 2015. The DOD’s post on X, acknowledging PTSD Awareness Month, read: “June is PTSD Awareness Month and the DoD is committed to supporting service members and veterans affected by PTSD. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. You are not alone.”
The controversy arose from the image accompanying the post, which featured the “Progress Pride Flag” and the phrase “Celebrate Pride Month 2024,” instead of a graphic supporting veterans with PTSD.
The internet is FOREVER. pic.twitter.com/ZNGU8dMEpk
— Sandy 〽️ (@RightGlockMom) June 1, 2024
The error did not go unnoticed by users on social media. “The internet is FOREVER,” one X user wrote, sharing a screenshot of the original post. Another commenter added, “I’ve got PTSD from having LGBTQ propaganda shoved in my face for the same month.”
Melanie Fonder Kaye, Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (DATSD) for Strategic Engagement, still had the original pride post visible on her page, which was also reposted by the official DOD account.
Celebrate #PrideMonth. Throughout the month of June, the #DoD honors the strength and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. pic.twitter.com/wdvNb3CWBM
— DATSD Melanie Fonder Kaye (@DoD_Outreach) June 1, 2024
Photo credit: Flickr
