The bipartisan spending package approved by the House today includes a provision that will effectively ban rainbow Pride flags from being flown over U.S. embassies around the world. While the $1.2 trillion package doesn’t specifically name Pride flags, tucked inside the 1,012 pages of the legislation is language that makes it clear the rainbow flag will be prohibited from being flown at U.S. embassies. From NBC News:
Although the $1.2 trillion, 1,012-page package does not explicitly mention barring Pride flags from flying at U.S. embassies, its text embraces a Republican-led effort to prohibit the display of the LGBTQ Pride flag at government buildings.
“None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be obligated or expended to fly or display a flag over a facility of the United States Department of State” other than the U.S. flag, the POW/MIA flag, the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag, flag of a state, flag of an Indian Tribal government, official branded flag of a U.S. agency or the sovereign flag of other countries, the text reads.
The Biden administration urged Congress to pass the spending bill, describing it as a “compromise between Republicans and Democrats” in a statement the White House released Thursday.
https://twitter.com/NBCOUT/status/1771251041301823955 It’s worth noting, however, that the language that would apply to Pride flags only prohibits flying such flags “over a facility of the United States Department of State.” That doesn’t mean a Pride flag can’t be displayed or hung elsewhere at State Department facilities. You may recall back in 2019 the Trump administration began rejecting requests from U.S. embassies to fly rainbow Pride flags during Pride Month. The Biden administration ended that policy in 2021. The White House did not mention the provision regarding flags flying over U.S. embassies in its statement and did not respond to a request from NBC News for comment. Assuming the spending package passes in the Senate, it will keep the government funded through September 30. Brandon Wolf, spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, noted in a statement that more than 50 proposed anti-LGBTQ+ riders were stripped from the final version of a $1.2 trillion funding package. He downplayed the flag provision’s inclusion in the final language saying:
“It poses absolutely no limits to other displays of a pride flag, hosting LGBTQ+ events or embassy employees’ ability to display Pride flags in their workplaces.”
“This is desperate spin from a Speaker whose MAGA members just saw their effort to hijack the appropriations process roundly rejected.”
1. Lots of talk about the Pride Flag embassy ban.
I want to give context, as I reported heavily on anti-LGBTQ+ riders in the budget fight.
1) Biden/Dems deserve the criticism they are getting on this rider.
2) Over 40+ horrific targeted anti-LGBTQ+ riders died, except this one. https://t.co/uK6G40xsvi— Erin Reed (@ErinInTheMorn) March 22, 2024
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