Fourteen Republican senators have expressed concern over the United States Navy's usage of a drag queen on TikTok to reach out to potential recruits via social media.
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| US Navy TikTok Drag Queens Recruitment |
Senators and Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro voiced alarm over the marketing of a prohibited app and unethical behavior in the workplace. The letter comes after conservative news site The Daily Caller discovered that Joshua Kelley, better known as Harpy Daniels, a non-commissioned naval officer and drag queen, engaged in the Navy's "Digital Ambassador" pilot program to boost recruiting outcomes.
The senators' letter references a section of the Navy's 2019 social media guidebook that tells sailors to expect that any information they share may have an impact on their own careers as well as the Navy's overall reputation. Senators questioned if the Navy supports the personal postings of its influencers and ambassadors, and whether it would hire burlesque or exotic dancers to reach out to potential recruits. They also wanted to know the status of the pilot program, how much federal money was spent on it, and whether participants were reimbursed or given additional incentives.
Sabrina Singh, the Pentagon's deputy press secretary, explained that the Navy's Digital Ambassador pilot program was an outreach endeavor, not a recruiting campaign. Republicans in Congress and state legislatures, on the other hand, have targeted drag performances and performers as sexually explicit and improper for young people. This year has seen a record volume of legislation aimed at drag shows and LGBTQ rights, with Republican lawmakers introducing dozens of state measures aimed at cracking down on performances.
This year, drag events around the country have seen increased protests and threats of violence, sometimes from members of right-wing extremist organizations such as the Proud Boys. GLAAD, a national LGBTQ media advocacy organization, has documented at least 166 incidences of anti-LGBTQ demonstrations and threats directed against drag performances since early last year.
Tennessee became the first state to pass a legislation regulating drag shows in March, criminalizing some acts that take place in public or where minors may witness them. Last month, a federal judge temporarily halted the law's implementation.
While social media is important for modern recruiting, Republican senators' concerns and the controversies surrounding drag shows highlight the difficulties that the military and other institutions face when attempting to reach a diverse audience. Balancing privacy, security, and professionalism with the need to attract potential applicants is a difficult endeavor that demands significant thought and control.
Source: The Hill