US Air Force tweeted this Pride Month message but was then forced to turn off comments

Rep. Lauren Boebert was among those to take offense at the image.

Mark

Jun 9, 2023 - 20:01

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US Air Force tweeted this Pride Month message but was then forced to turn off comments

US Air Force jets over Florida — The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds” perform at Cocoa Beach, Fla., April 14, 2023 (Photo: US Air Force)

The US Air Force has marked Pride Month by tweeting a message supporting LGBTQ+ service members. However, it prompted such a negative reaction online, the Air Force’s official Twitter account felt moved to turn off the comments.

Here’s the tweet.

June is #PrideMonth! The Department of the Air Force proudly recognizes and celebrates generations of LGBTQI+ service members and their contributions to our #AirForce & #SpaceForce. pic.twitter.com/lQi9lH5sdr— U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) June 7, 2023

Although garnering over 2,000 likes, it’s also prompted around pearl-clutching 6,000 comments. Some have objected to what they view as a service member saluting the rainbow flag. This seems a somewhat disingenuous interpretation of the image.

Here are a few of the responses.

I am so grateful that my husband, after 20 years of serving, is no longer a part of the USAF. My Dad who served 30 years would be devastated.— jojomarks81 (@JoJoMarks4) June 8, 2023

This is the only flag you should be saluting. pic.twitter.com/phmqhPaIaV— Saul (@OldSchoolSaul) June 7, 2023

Seriously? Saluting a rainbow flag?

Why?— Thomas J (@old4dis) June 7, 2023

Lauren Boebert joins the chat

Unsurprisingly, joining the chorus of disapproval was Rep. Lauren Boebert.

We salute one flag and one flag only in the United States of America.

It isn’t the “Pride” flag. https://t.co/LnxCdf1fpK— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) June 8, 2023

Boebert used the D-Day anniversary earlier this week to pay tribute to those who gave their lives during the Allied landings in Normandy in 1944. She posted a photo of herself in front of the grave of a soldier at Arlington Cemetery.

Internet sleuths yesterday used the marker code on the back of the grave to identify who it belonged to. It turned out she wasn’t paying tribute to a D-Day soldier, or even someone who fought in World War II. The gravestone belonged to someone who fought in World War I.

According to the Arlington National Cemetery database, Lauren Boebert used a photo of herself visiting a World War I veteran’s grave in her D-Day tweet below.

The photo is captioned, “D-Day, honoring those that served.”

D-Day occurred on June 6, 1944, during World War II. https://t.co/e4h8ZMg8j6 pic.twitter.com/1HNPEzuNfs— PatriotTakes ?? (@patriottakes) June 7, 2023

The US Air Force’s tweet marking Pride Month prompted so many hateful comments that it turned off comments a few hours ago. People are continuing to quote-tweet the message though. Again, most are negative but some are calling out the mock outrage.

Republicans are offended by a drawing of an airman saluting while the pride flag is BEHIND the airman. Talk about fake outrage. https://t.co/2NLzAsqwgi— David Weissman ?? (@davidmweissman) June 8, 2023

Marines

The Air Force is not the first branch of the military to mark Pride Month. The Marines did so last year, although it controversially tweeted an image featuring rainbow-colored bullets.

Throughout June, the USMC takes #Pride in recognizing and honoring the contributions of our LGBTQ service members. We remain committed to fostering an environment free from discrimination, and defend the values of treating all equally, with dignity and respect.#PrideMonth #USMC pic.twitter.com/MOyvFmyJiB— U.S. Marines (@USMC) June 1, 2022

President Joe Biden has tweeted several messages showing support for Pride Month 2023. Later today, he will host a Pride Month Celebration at the White House. Associated Press reports that “thousands” of LGBTQ+ individuals have been invited to attend.