The Department of Defense (DOD) is facing online backlash for mistakenly posting a rainbow LGBTQ pride graphic to mark PTSD Awareness Month, resulting in a significant social media blunder.
“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 issue arose due to the image accompanying the post.
Instead of displaying a graphic supporting veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, the DOD shared an image of the “Progress Pride Flag” and the caption “Celebrate Pride Month 2024” with its 6.5 million followers.
The post was quickly deleted and corrected once the mistake was identified, but not before it attracted considerable attention.
“I’ve got PTSD from having LGBTQ propaganda shoved in my face for the same month,” commented another user.
Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (DATSD) for Strategic Engagement Melanie Fonder Kaye, who has kept the original pride post on her page, also saw it reposted by the official DOD account.
“Yea, and this is why no one is joining the service. My dad [is] a veteran can’t even get his medicines on time from the VA and you concentrate on this,” another user expressed frustration on X.
“America doesn’t subscribe to your WOKE ideology, @DeptofDefense,” another commenter criticized. “Shame!”
