The famous Joint Base Langley-Eustis (JBLE) had a family-friendly festival the last week of July.
But the festival was not like what we would think is a family-friendly festival.
The base hosted its first “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summer Festival” on July 30. From the event page:
On behalf of the installation commander, the Joint Base Langley Eustis (JBLE) Breaking Barriers Alliances presents its first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Summer Festival.The goal is to provide education, increase collaboration through outreach efforts, and recognize the diverse composition of JBLE. #celebratingdifferences
It included a drag show by Joshua Kelley, who is also known as Harpy Daniels.
Oh, look. The Navy Times wrote about Harpy Daniels in 2018. Kelley became a drag queen before he joined the Navy.
One person blew up after getting the mass email about the festival, especially the military addressed it as a family-friendly event: “It’s burlesque, it’s hyper-sexualized, it’s not something appropriate for children.”
JBLE spoke to The Daily Wire:
The JBLE event’s central theme is “celebrating differences,” and its purpose is ensuring “every Airman, Soldier and civilian feels valued,” JBLE told The Daily Wire in a statement.“The goal is to provide education and awareness, increase collaboration through outreach, and recognize the diverse composition of JBLE. The theme of the event is ‘Celebrating Differences’ and will feature a number of different performers, guest speakers, and information booths, including Tuskegee Airman, Asian Indians of Hampton, a hula routine, a drag performance, and many others,” the JBLE statement said.“All featured guests will be participating or performing as volunteers. The installation assisted by providing funding for logistical requirements, such as a tent, stage, tables and chairs, etc., as specifically authorized by DoD regulations and policies. JBLE leadership is committed to celebrating differences and cultivating an inclusive environment where every Airman, Soldier and civilian feels valued,” it continued.
In June 2021, Nellis AFB hosted a drag queen show because it was “essential to the morale, cohesion, and readiness of the military.” The explanation was something else:
In his statement, Nellis spokesman Lt. Col. Bryon McGarry said the event “was sponsored by a private organization and provided an opportunity for attendees to learn more about the history and significance of drag performance art within the LGBT+ community.”The private organization in question is the Nellis Air Force Base Pride committee. The committee focuses on diversity and inclusion initiatives and consists of volunteers from across the base.“Ensuring our ranks reflect and are inclusive of the American people is essential to the morale, cohesion, and readiness of the military,” his statement continued. “Nellis Air Force Base is committed to providing and championing an environment that is characterized by equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion.”
Here is a video of Harpy Daniels from early July.
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