An image shared on Facebook purports to show U.S. Navy sailors holding a banner that reads, “Transgender Troops Bleeding From The Front.”

Verdict: False

The image, which shows U.S. Navy sailors marching in a 2019 San Diego LGBTQ+ Pride parade, is digitally altered. In the original image, the text of the banner reads, “Transgender Troops Leading From The Front.”

Fact Check:

U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper said recent conflict with the Yemen rebel group, the Houthis, is the U.S.’s largest naval battle since World War II, according to Business Insider. Cooper made the remark during a recent interview with CBS News host Norah O’Donnell on the show 60 Minutes, the outlet reported.

The Facebook image purports to show U.S. Navy sailors holding a banner that reads, “Transgender Troops Bleeding From The Front.” “A hideous and disgusting banner,” the post’s caption says.

The image is digitally altered, however. In the original image, which shows the sailors marching in a 2019 San Diego LGBTQ+ Pride parade, the text of the banner reads, “Transgender Troops Leading From The Front.”

Likewise, another iteration of the image, captured from a slightly different angle, appears on the photo-sharing website Flickr.

“Soldiers of the California National Guard, alongside their fellow service members and veterans from all branches, participated in the 2019 San Diego Gay Pride Parade, July 13, 2019 as part of the San Diego Pride Military Contingent. The annual event took place in San Diego’s Hillcrest District and featured a four ship flyover from the California Air National Guard’s 144th Fighter Wing,” the image’s caption reads.

Additionally, the image has not been included in any recent credible news reports about the U.S. Navy or transgender issues. In fact, the opposite is true. Reuters also indicated the image is digitally altered in a Feb. 21 article. Furthermore, the U.S. Navy has not publicly commented on the claim. (RELATED: Video Does Not Show Israeli Base Hit By Hezbollah)

Check Your Fact has contacted the organizers of the San Diego LGBTQ+ Pride parade for comment and will update this piece accordingly if one is received.