In a recent and unexpected clash of ideologies, a prominent Navy SEAL veteran, Robert O’Neill, has voiced strong criticism towards an unconventional US Navy recruitment strategy. This strategy features Joshua Kelley, a second-class yeoman who, in his off-duty hours, adopts the persona of the drag queen Harpy Daniels. Kelley, who identifies as non-binary, recently participated in the navy’s digital ambassador pilot programme, an initiative designed to broaden the diversity of its recruitment pool.
A Tweet Heard Around the World
O’Neill, renowned for his claim of having killed Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, took to Twitter on 3rd May to express his dismay. He criticized the inclusion of a drag queen in the navy’s recruitment efforts, stating his concerns about the future of the nation. This tweet was viewed more than three million times and received over 40,000 likes and 7,000 retweets.
The Right-Wing Echo Chamber
The controversy quickly spread across various conservative media outlets, from the New York Post to Fox News. They amplified O’Neill’s sentiments, eliciting a wave of condemnations from other military personnel who described the navy’s new approach as disgraceful and insulting.
The LGBTQ+ Community Under Siege
This incident occurs amid a broader backdrop of increasing legislative attacks against the LGBTQ+ community in the United States. Conservatives have proposed numerous bills targeting queer rights, including attempts to ban drag performances, limit access to gender-affirming care, and roll back anti-discrimination protections. The controversy surrounding O’Neill and Kelley highlights these growing tensions, with drag queens often unfairly labelled as threats to societal norms.
A Resilient Response
Despite the backlash, Kelley remains resilient. In an empowering response to his critics, he reminded his 8,000 Instagram followers of the military’s history of oppression towards queer individuals. He asserted the military’s role as a diverse and adaptable organization, concluding with a powerful message: “You won’t stop the LGBTQ+ community thriving.” As the debate continues, Kelley’s stand serves as a strong reminder of the ongoing struggle for acceptance and equality within the military and beyond.