Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden in Ontario is currently hosting its second “drag queen bingo” night for military personnel and their spouses. The event aims to raise money for ‘Soldier On,’ a program that aids ill and injured Canadians Armed Forces personnel and veterans. The base already held a similar event on January 28.
Such initiatives represent a drift towards “woke” culture and the promotion of the LGBT agenda within the armed forces. This situation triggers debates around broader issues, like recruitment and retention, with concerns that such ideologies could be off-putting to potential recruits or existing personnel. A member of the Canadian Armed Forces has suggested that the promotion of ideologies not in line with traditional military values, such as the recent placement of tampon dispensers in men’s bathrooms, may further contribute to disillusionment among troops.
The increasing ideological divide, between traditional military ethos and the progressive policies being implemented, reflects the larger societal debates around concepts of inclusion, diversity, and gender identity.