The Department of Defense (DOD) is facing online backlash for accidentally posting a rainbow LGBTQ pride graphic while intending to recognize PTSD Awareness Month.
June has been designated as PTSD Awareness Month since 2014, one year before it also became recognized as Pride Month, according to Fox News reported.
“June is PTSD Awareness Month and the DoD is committed to supporting service members and veterans affected by PTSD,” the department wrote on X. The caption encouraged those struggling to seek help, emphasizing, “You are not alone.”
The issue arose with the accompanying image. Instead of a graphic supporting veterans with PTSD, the DOD posted the “Progress Pride Flag” with the phrase “Celebrate Pride Month 2024” to its 6.5 million followers. The post was deleted and replaced after the mistake was realized, but not before it attracted significant attention.
“I’ve got PTSD from having LGBTQ propaganda shoved in my face for the same month,” said one commenter.
Melanie Fonder Kaye, Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Strategic Engagement, also shared the original pride post on her page, which was reposted by the official DOD account.
“This is why no one is joining the service. My dad, a veteran, can’t even get his medicines on time from the VA, and you concentrate on this,” another X user lamented.
“America doesn’t subscribe to your WOKE ideology, @DeptofDefense,” another commenter complained. “Shame!”
