Military Investigating Gay Pride Flag That Was Allegedly Raised on U.S. Military Base In Afghanistan

Controversial photos of a soldier appearing to raise a gay pride flag on a U.S. base in Afghanistan have emerged. As can be imagined, the images are creating quite a stir.

Last year, the military rescinded its "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. While the move was praised by gay rights activists, some held to the notion that the law was a solid protective force that should have remained in place. As The Blaze has extensively reported, U.S. military academies are now opening themselves up for gay pride events and other celebratory activities that weren't possible under the former DADT policies.

According to FOX News' Todd Starnes, the military is currently investigating the pictures, which have drawn the ire of critics and the praise of gay rights advocates. At this point, the origins of the photos, the soldier presented in them and the overall authenticity have not yet been verified. However, it is known that they were originally posted on the "Wipeout Homophobia on Facebook" social media page.

The controversial pictures were apparently posted by a woman named Nicole Jodice; she uploaded at least one of the pictures along with a note praising the individual raising the flag (her comment claims that the man is her husband).

"Hubbie in Afghanistan raising a gay pride flag," she reportedly wrote. Then, she linked back to her personal page, which included additional images of the flag raising.

"We are aware of the photo of the gay pride flag being flown by U.S. service members and we are investigating," explained a spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force.

With an investigation underway, the president of the conservative Family Research Council, Tony Perkins, is less than content with the flag's alleged presence on a military base in the Middle Eastern country.

"There, in the dusty desert of war, an Army outpost saluted the colors of the homosexual lobby by flying a rainbow flag in place of Old Glory," he said. "These displays are an uncomfortable reminder of the open policy that few of the troops support."

This policy, of course, is DADT. Perkins also went on to state his fears that the flag, like the Koran burning last month, could place U.S. troops in increased danger.

On The Maddow Blog, Steve Benen took Perkins to task, writing:

Thanks to the extraordinary progress on gay rights in the U.S. military in recent years, images that were once hard to imagine are now becoming more common. [...]

I'm curious: since when does Tony Perkins think we should appease the cultural beliefs of Afghan Muslims? Some of these same Afghans might vehemently oppose the ongoing presence of U.S. troops in their country, too. Does the Family Research Council think we should avoid flying the American flag out of fear this might offend them?

Or is it more likely Perkins doesn't want to see a gay pride flag in Afghanistan or anywhere else because he doesn't like gay people?

(H/T: FOX News)