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NY Post
New York Post
4 May 2023


NextImg:US Navy’s drag queen ambassador Joshua Kelley accuses critics of not truly supporting military

The active-duty non-binary drag queen who served as a digital ambassador for the US Navy hit back at critics Wednesday — accusing them of only supporting the military when it “benefits” them, while defiantly declaring “you don’t scare me.”

Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley, whose drag name is Harpy Daniels, responded to the widespread fury about their appointment, led by Army veteran Graham Allen and decorated Navy SEAL veteran Robert J. O’Neill, on social media.

In a video posted to TikTok and Instagram, Kelley can be seen alternating between their military uniform and drag looks while declaring that they “DGAF” about backlash.

Alongside the clip, Kelley wrote: “You only want to support the military when it benefits you and doesn’t involve queer people. Yet the military is the largest diverse, and adaptable organization in the use.

“Well as a service member, a queen, and an open queer person. You dont scare me and you won’t stop the LGBTQ+ community for thriving!

“Haters only Hate when we’re winning!” Kelley concluded.

Kelley performs under the drag name Harpy Daniels.
Harpy Daniels/TikTok

Kelley, who identifies as nonbinary, served as one of five “Digital Ambassadors” for the Navy from October through March this year.

The program was part of a recent push to draw a more diverse, capable workforce amid sinking recruitment. The Navy confirmed in a statement this week that neither Kelley nor the four other ambassadors were paid.

“From joining to 2016 and being able to share my drag experience on my off time with my fellow sailors has been a blessing,” Kelley wrote in a November Instagram post announcing their participation in the program.

“This experience has brought me so much strength, courage and ambition to continue being an advocate and representation of queer sailors!”

A still from Kelley's TikTok video.

Kelley said they “DGAF” about the haters.
Instagram / @harpy_daniels

But the Navy’s diversity push, and appointment of Kelley as an ambassador, drew fierce backlash when it surfaced this week — just weeks after Bud Light caused controversy when it partnered with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

“This is not the same military I served under… Our enemies LAUGH at us,” Allen scoffed.

Former US Navy SEAL Team Six member Robert J. O’Neill, who famously participated in the mission to kill Osama bin Laden, also took issue with Kelley on social media.

“Alright. The US Navy is now using an enlisted sailor Drag Queen as a recruiter. I’m done,” he wrote on Twitter.

“China is going to destroy us. YOU GOT THIS NAVY. I can’t believe I fought for this bulls-t.”

Joshua Kelley in uniform.

Kelley said they are committed to helping queer people in the military.
Instagram / @harpy_daniels

Joshua Kelley in uniform.

Kelley joined the Navy in 2016.
Instagram / @harpy_daniels

Others, however, defended the Navy’s initiative.

“Honor, Courage & Commitment… I stand with the US Navy and their choice. Bravo Zulu,” one social media defender wrote.