‘Hate for Hate’s Sake’: Pentagon Officials Slam ‘Anti-LGBTQ’ Legislation at Pride Event

Top defense and military officials waded into politics on Wednesday, slamming “anti-LGBTQ” legislation at an official Department of Defense Pride Month event at the Pentagon.

“LGBTQ plus and other diverse communities are under attack, just because they are different. Hate for hate’s sake,” top DOD civilian official for personnel Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. said at the ceremony. “But we must stick together, and we must be prepared to confront any such challenge directly.”

Lt. Gen. DeAnna Burt, chief operations officer for the U.S. Space Force, suggested “anti-LGBTQ+” legislation is “dangerous” for service members:

Transformational cultural change requires leadership from the top and we do not have time to wait. Since January of this year, more than 400 anti-LGBTQ+ laws have been introduced at the state level. That number is rising and demonstrates a trend that could be dangerous for service members, their families, and the readiness of the force as a whole.