During recent proceedings of the House Armed Services Committee that were held to consider the latest bill to fund the country’s defense mechanisms for the upcoming fiscal year, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) proposed an amendment to the underlying legislation that would formally block the use of various military resources for drag shows, about which Republicans have for some reason lately become absolutely furious.
That’s despite the lengthy historical precedent for drag. During his acting career, Ronald Reagan was even in a movie touting the work of the U.S. military that featured drag! Gaetz described his amendment as meant to block the use of taxpayer money for drag performances, which would presumably — or at least potentially — block even third-party drag shows at military properties, which are often used broadly by the people serving this country and their families.
“And the reason we have to codify that understanding from General Milley and Secretary Austin in law is because when we asked them about these things that were happening on bases, they just stared right back flatly and said they aren’t happening,” Gaetz alleged, discussing past support from military officials for not using military resources for those contested performances.
“Matt, I too cannot believe we are still having this conversation,” Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.) replied right then. “I represent the largest military community in the entire country. And I can confidently say that not a single servicemember or military family has ever — not once! — complained to me about drag shows. They call me about housing. They call me about child care. They call me about food security. They call me about many, many things.” Going on, Jacobs also discussed how the push against transgender people and drag performances was at odds with the basic ideal of acceptance ostensibly fueling the United States, finishing by calling Gaetz’s amendment “small-minded.”
Jacobs previously worked with UNICEF. Other topics discussed during those proceedings included efforts in the military to be inclusive towards transgender individuals in the service. Check out the discussion below:
