In celebration of Pride Month, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) is offering a series of events for its employees, including free manicures and workshops to crochet LGBTQ+ flags. These activities are part of the agency’s effort to promote inclusivity and allyship within the intelligence community, which encompasses major agencies like the CIA, FBI, and NSA.
The events, which take place during working hours throughout June, are intended to foster a supportive environment for LGBTQ+ staff and allies. According to a document obtained by The Daily Wire, the ODNI organized an event on June 4 where staff were invited to paint their nails and participate in a crochet flag-making workshop. These sessions are facilitated by members of the Five Eyes Intelligence Alliance (FVEY), comprising intelligence representatives from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
“For nail painting, we’ll have our pro team of FVEY artists ready to decorate you for Pride Month, with the option of celebrating pride or trans flag colours,” the document states. It encourages participation even from those who don’t typically paint their nails, aiming to make the activity inclusive and engaging.
“For crochet, we’ll have some experienced FVEY crocheters teaching you how to make Pride flags. Suitable for all abilities, even if you’ve never picked up a crochet hook!” the document continues, inviting staff to join in regardless of their crafting experience.
In addition to these activities, the ODNI is hosting the “Pride Ally Challenge,” which includes a series of 20 short daily activities designed to enhance participants’ understanding of the LGBTQ+ community and improve their allyship.
Alongside the nail painting and crochet sessions, a notable event featured AC Dumlao, a philipinx (a gender-neutral term for a person of Philippine origin or descent, especially one living in the United States, in place of Filipino or Filipina ) transgender non-binary activist and educator. Dumlao led a discussion on transgender and non-binary identities, aiming to increase awareness and inclusivity within the workforce.
The initiative has sparked criticism from some conservative figures, including Congressman Mike Waltz, who argues that such activities divert focus from the primary mission of national security. “It just shows where this administration’s priorities continue to be, which is a virtue signal to the progressive Left, rather than staying focused on lethality, effective intelligence collection, and keeping America safe,” Waltz stated. He views the events as a misallocation of resources and a distraction from the core functions of intelligence gathering and national defense.
The ODNI’s Pride Month activities reflect a broader effort within the US government to push social initiatives, while simultaneously generating debate whether it impedes function of the institutions this push takes place in.
