US Navy Drag Queen Recruitment Video Sparks Backlash

The Navy Drag Queen Recruitment Video is a recruitment campaign launched by the US Navy that features drag queens promoting the Navy’s message of diversity and inclusivity. The video showcases drag queens, including Harpy Daniels, talking about their personal experiences and encouraging potential recruits to consider joining the Navy. The goal of the video is to reach a diverse group of potential recruits and showcase the many different career opportunities available in the Navy. However, the video also sparked controversy and backlash from some critics who accused the Navy of promoting deviant behavior and sexualizing the military. Despite this controversy, the Navy defended the video as part of their ongoing efforts to promote and inclusivity within the military.

Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley, who also performs as a drag queen under the name Harpy Daniels, has responded to online haters who recently targeted her with hateful comments. Taking to TikTok, Kelley posted a video on Wednesday addressing the hate she received after some of her old videos resurfaced online. In the video, Kelley pushed back against the negativity, saying “Haters only hate when you are winning.”

Kelley, who uses as nonbinary but uses she/her pronouns on the Instagram profile for Harpy Daniels, became a “digital ambassador” for the US Navy last year. In a 2018 interview with Military Times, Kelley shared that she joined the Navy in 2016 as a way to support her drag career but was able to merge the two. Before becoming a digital ambassador, Kelley performed drag shows for fellow sailors in the Navy’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) events.

As a digital ambassador, Kelley was featured in several US Navy recruitment videos last year, including the controversial Navy Drag Queen Recruitment Video. Despite the backlash and negativity she has received, Kelley remains proud of her work as a sailor and drag queen and is determined to continue spreading a positive message of acceptance and self-expression.

Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley, also known as Harpy Daniels, has faced criticism from several right-wing figures, including Fox News host Jesse Watters, Charlie Kirk, and Graham Allen, for her drag performances. In response, Kelley posted a screenshot of Allen’s tweet on TikTok and used videos of herself in drag and in uniform to show that she does not care about the haters. In the video, Kelley wrote, “Haters only hate when you are winning. LGBTQ+ people never could serve openly because of DADT. Now that we can, you can see who the homophobic and transphobic people are.”

Kelley’s response to Allen’s tweet drew attention to the history of drag in the military, which runs deep despite previous bans on LGBTQ+ individuals serving openly. In a statement to Newsweek, a US Navy spokesperson emphasized the Navy’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity, stating that they are proud of and stand by any person who is willing to take an oath to defend the nation.

In a 2018 interview with Military Times, Kelley shared that doing drag allows her to embrace her feminine side and express her diversity and creativity. She described the thrill of performing and hearing people cheer, laugh, or even cry during a performance. Despite the criticism she has faced, Kelley remains committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity both in the Navy and in society as a whole.

In conclusion, the US Navy Drag Queen Recruitment Video has sparked both praise and controversy. While some have praised the video for promoting diversity and inclusivity, others have criticized the decision to use drag queens to recruit new sailors. The backlash has led to some online hate and criticism towards sailors like Harpy Daniels, who are featured in the video. Despite this negativity, individuals like Daniels remain committed to promoting a message of acceptance and self-expression.

The Navy has defended the video, stating that it is part of their ongoing efforts to reach a diverse group of potential recruits and showcase the many different career opportunities available in the Navy. The Navy’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity was also emphasized in a statement by a Navy spokesperson.