Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, canceled a drag show for all ages scheduled for Thursday. Officials cited a Pentagon policy that prohibits the use of federal funds to hold drag shows on U.S. Military property.

Air Force officials approved the event as the kick-off to Pride Month, but Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley ordered the base either to cancel the show or move it off-site.

Sabrina Singh, NBC’s spokeswoman, said that the Joint Ethics Regulation of DoD (JER) requires certain criteria to be met by persons or organizations acting outside their federal capacity in order to use DoD equipment and facilities. As Secretary Austin stated, the DOD does not allow drag shows to be held at U.S. military facilities or installations.

She added, “Hosting these types of events at federally-funded facilities is not an appropriate use of DOD Resources.” “Our Service Members are diverse, and they are allowed to have their own outlets.”

According to reports, the show was advertised as “family friendly” and there was no age restriction. According to the New York Post, they have been hosting drag shows at the base ever since the historic “Drag-u-Nellis”, show held in June 2021.

The organizers described the event as an “opportunity for attendees to learn about the history and importance of drag performance arts within the LGBT+ Community.”

Austin, who previously stated that the military supported Pride Month and “LGBTQ+”, citizens that have fought for the U.S. from its founding, said to a House Armed Services Committee that “drag show are not something that the Defense Department funds or supports.”

Milley stated that he would investigate such events at military bases in order to “find out exactly what is happening there”, while also claiming that he does not condone these shows.

CNN reported that he stated, “I would like to look at them because I do not agree with them.” “I don’t think that should be happening.”

Matt Gaetz, R-FL, wrote to two Department of Defense officials informing them that six drag shows were approved by the U.S. Military for different bases, including those in Montana, Virginia and Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany.

Gaetz wrote: “I find it totally unacceptable that DoD uses taxpayer dollars to finance DEI programs of a divisive nature.” “DoD should use its resources for mission-essential missions, and not to divert them toward initiatives that cause cultural fractures in our service ranks.” Gaetz wrote.

Gaetz has asked U.S. officials by June 12 to confirm if punitive actions have been taken or will be against individuals who facilitate drag events using taxpayer dollars.