Amid the ongoing push for equality and inclusivity in the US military, a video of a nonbinary officer reading a poem during an LGBTQ+ spoken word night has sparked controversy among Republican congressmen. The video, shared on the US Navy’s Instagram account, featured Lt. Audrey Knutson, who expressed pride in joining the Navy and serving on the USS Gerald R. Ford because of their grandfather’s service during World War II.
However, the video was met with criticism from conservative lawmakers, who accused the Navy of being distracted from preparing for war. Senator Marco Rubio tweeted that “While China prepares for war, this is what they have our US Navy focused on.” Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama also brought up the video during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, questioning whether Knutson’s poetry reading was a proper use of their time as a military officer.
Despite the backlash, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday defended Knutson and their service. In response to Tuberville’s comments, Adm. Gilday noted that Knutson’s grandfather was gay and faced ostracization during his own military service. He emphasized the importance of building a cohesive warfighting team grounded on dignity and respect for all members, regardless of their background.
The controversy over Knutson’s poetry reading highlights the ongoing tension between progressive movements for inclusivity and conservative opposition within the military. Transgender people were only allowed to openly serve in the US armed forces in 2021, after President Joe Biden’s Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin lifted the previous administration’s ban on trans people in the military. Despite this progress, Knutson’s experience shows that there is still much work to be done to create a truly inclusive and welcoming environment for all service members.
As the US military continues to grapple with issues of diversity, equality, and inclusion, it remains to be seen how this latest controversy will play out. But one thing is clear: the fight for full recognition and acceptance of all members of the military, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, is far from over.