Fifteen years ago, Ed Freeman took a photograph that encapsulated the struggle of sexual minorities gaining equality in the United States. It made the cover of Frontiers, a magazine focused on sexual minority rights and news, and then immortalized as a stock image.

Thanks to last week’s Supreme Court ruling regarding same-sex marriage, the image has resurfaced and received a torrent of support and criticism. For the military community, it’s easy to see why.

Freeman’s photo of chiseled men raising a gay pride flag echoes the Pulitzer Prize-winning 1945 photograph of Marines raising the American flag at Iwo Jima. Veterans and civilians alike have taken offense to this spinoff by angrily sharing it on Facebook and Twitter.

To Freeman’s credit, he took this photo long before social media existed and never expected anyone outside readers of Frontiers magazine to view it. The photographer has since stated that it was never meant to disrespect or provoke the military community.

“The principle complaint that people have is that I am equating the gay struggle with the contribution and sacrifice of American servicemen,” Freeman said. “But there is no equal sign here. This is not meant as a sign of disrespect. For God sake, no. I totally support people in uniform. There is no comparison going on here. The comparison is going on in people’s heads, and they’re spoiling for a fight. They’re already on edge because of the gay marriage decision.”