US congresswoman powerfully denounces ‘cruel and callous’ anti-LGBTQ+ measure
Democratic congresswoman Maxine Dexter has hit out a a ‘cruel and callus’ military Pride flag ban. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Democratic congresswoman Maxine Dexter has hit out a a 'cruel and callus' military Pride flag ban. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Democratic congresswoman Maxine Dexter has pushed back against a “cruel and callus” amendment banning Pride flags in the military – and she’s done so with a Pride flag in full view.
The representative for Oregon’s Third Congressional District took a stand against the Republican amendment to the nation’s defense budget – the National Defense Authorization Act – which bans Pride flags from Department of Defense facilities.
During a debate on the amendments to the law, which included a ban on gender-affirming healthcare for trans service members and their dependents, as well as a ban on Pride flags introduced by Cory Mills, Dexter rose to speak.
The congresswoman placed a mini Pride flag on the lectern as she shared that she felt Cory Mill’s amendment was “cruel and callous”.
“There are 20 days until the government shuts down,” she said.
“Eight legislative days. And what are Republicans focused on? Flags! Pride flags! Republicans are spending valuable floor time, time that could be used by the government to lower costs for working families…”
‘As sick as it is a waste of time’
She is then asked by the speaker to pause and listen to objections, which included Mills, supported by Marjorie Taylor Greene, claiming there’s a law that bans waving Pride flags in Congress.
Dexter states that she isn’t “waving” the flag and goes on to hit out at the “obsession with attacking, dehumanising, and villainising our LGBTQIA+ community,” which she said is “as sick as it is a waste of time”.
She added: “Trump is using the same tired playbook authoritarian regimes have used throughout history. He is dehumanising our most vulnerable to divide us and distract us from the fact of his failure to meaningfully improve the lives of the people he was elected to serve.
“We see this for what this is and refuse to let them win. We will not erase the LGBTQIA+ community,”
She reposted the moment on special media, writing, “I’ll fight every day for the LGBTQIA+ community”.
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