Robert Garcia, the outspoken California Democrat, recently took a powerful stand against a Republican proposal to ban drag shows on military bases during a debate over the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The GOP’s attempt to restrict drag performances, along with other contentious cultural amendments, has sparked intense debate.
Garcia highlighted the deep-rooted history of drag in the military, pointing out that female impersonators have entertained troops since the late 1800s. “The Army that defeated Hitler and saved the world included drag queens,” he declared, referencing the support from organizations like the USO and the Red Cross during World War II. Garcia’s remarks underscored that drag has long been part of military entertainment, even starring in films like Ronald Reagan’s “This Is the Army!” which featured multiple drag performances.
In his impassioned speech, Garcia criticized the GOP for prioritizing a drag ban over addressing more pressing issues facing service members, such as poisoned water, toxic mold in housing, PTSD, and suicide. He expressed astonishment that Republicans would consider banning drag shows a protective measure for troops, labeling it a distraction from real threats to military well-being.
Garcia didn’t shy away from calling out Republican hypocrisy, especially after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene displayed explicit images during a congressional hearing without facing similar condemnation. “The real obscenity is showing revenge porn in our Oversight Committee,” he argued, defending drag as a legitimate form of art and culture.
Ultimately, despite Garcia’s efforts, the House, narrowly controlled by Republicans, passed the defense bill with the drag ban amendment. The measures, however, face significant opposition in the Democrat-controlled Senate, where their future remains uncertain.