Joe Biden administration to let embassies fly the Pride flag on the same pole as the US flag

The Biden-Harris administration has given blanket approval for US embassies to fly the LGBT+ Pride flag on the same flagpole as the US flag.

Secretary of state Antony Blinken has made good on his vow to authorise US diplomatic outposts across the world to fly both flags with, well, pride from the same halyard.

In doing so, Blinken overturned a Trump-era ban that paves the way for envoys to fly them before 17 May, which is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, and Pride Month in June.

According to a confidential cable reviewed by Foreign Policy, while the directive removes both the ban and some red tape, embassy and consulate bosses will not be required to fly the flag.

Instead, it stressed, chiefs of missions will be given the choice to hoist the flag or some other kind of symbol that shows solidarity with the LGBT+ community.

Such symbols will be based on what is “appropriate in light of local conditions”, Blinken’s cable said. Taking into account how the flag may be too provocative in countries and regions that do not look favourably on LGBT+ rights.

Currently, US diplomatic missions must seek written approval to fly non-US flags from senior State Department leadership – but Blinken’s cable removes this formality completely for LGBT+ Pride flags.

Source: PinkNews