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(LifeSiteNews) — The U.S. Navy and Major League Baseball (MLB) celebrated LGBT “Pride” on social media but quickly removed associated symbols as the month started – prompting questions about whether they sought to avoid backlash over the issue.  

Twitter accounts like “End Wokeness” noted the seemingly abrupt shift, which came amid ongoing controversy surrounding the institutions’ embrace of homosexuality. By June 2, the MLB had reinstated its original logo on Twitter in place of the modified one featuring a rainbow flag behind a baseball player silhouette. The U.S. Navy similarly had a Pride-themed banner photo and profile picture on Twitter but it was gone by June 2. The service’s Instagram profile also lost its pride-themed photo and according to the Daily Mail, individual posts were removed from both its Twitter and Instagram.  

In a statement to The Hill, the Navy didn’t address the removals but affirmed its interest in so-called Pride Month.   

“The US Navy posted graphics in support of the start of Pride month to honor the service, commitment, and sacrifice of the LGBTQ+ Service members and personnel who volunteer to defend our country,” a spokesperson reportedly said. “As we do with all Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI) observance months, we will look for additional opportunities to celebrate the diversity and strength of our Sailors. Members of the LGBTQ+ community serve their country, fully contribute to the DoD mission, and deserve a welcoming environment which enables them to reach their full potential.”  

The MLB, meanwhile, reportedly told Newsweek that it always planned to celebrate “pride” on June 1 and that its replacement picture on June 2 was intended to celebrate Lou Gherig Day. It’s unclear why, as of June 3, the MLB’s Twitter photo still lacks a “pride” logo while other entities have continued to keep a pride logo on their profile.  

The removal comes amid mounting tension surrounding the two entities’ embrace of LGBT “pride,” as well as multiple boycotts against brands that backed homosexuality and “transgenderism.” 

Last month, the Los Angeles Dodgers shocked Americans as news surfaced that the major league team had invited the “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence,” a blasphemous group of drag queens, to receive an award on June 16, the feast of the Sacred Heart.  

On Twitter, some suggested the MLB change was evidence that conservatives were scoring wins in the culture war.  

“Haven’t seen so few corporate Pride logos in years. Bud Lite effect?” asked End Wokeness. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) similarly tweeted that woke companies have “seen the power of conservative boycotts, and they are running scared. . . We are so back!” 

Bud Light saw a wave of backlash earlier this year after it partnered with gender-confused man Dylan Mulvaney and gave him a beer can with his face on it. The beer’s parent company reportedly lost more $27 billion in value over the course of just a few months. It’s unclear what exactly is behind the drops but they coincide with promotions of “pride” and “LGBTQ” content. Target similarly saw a $9 billion drop amid controversy over its decision to sell pride-themed merchandise, Fox Business reported. 

Some professional athletes (e.g. Washington Nationals pitcher Trevor Williams and the Flyers’ Ivan Provorov) have opposed “pride” celebrations but momentum has been building for years as large, multinational corporations continually embraced the secular rainbow and its celebration of homosexuality. According to OutSports, nearly 30 MLB teams had plans to celebrate “Pride Month” in 2023.  

A press release for the June 16 event showed the Dodger’s head of marketing suggested “Pride” was part of the team’s core values. 

“The Dodgers have always championed diversity and inclusion as core values, and we’re honored to showcase our dedication to fostering an inclusive environment both on and off the field during our tenth annual LGBTQ+ Pride Night,” said Erik Braverman, who serves as senior vice president of marketing, communications, community relations, and broadcasting.  

The U.S. Navy, for its part, caught attention this year for using a drag queen as part of its “digital ambassador” program. More broadly, the Defense Department has come under fire for promoting drag shows on military bases. Amid criticism, it announced on Thursday that U.S. military installations would not host drag shows.  

“Hosting these types of events in federally funded facilities is not a suitable use of D.O.D. resources,” Sabrina Singh, deputy press secretary, reportedly said.  

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