Tucked in the massive government funding package signed Saturday by President Biden is a provision banning the flying of LGBTQ Pride flags over U.S. embassies. But even on the same day Mr. Biden signed the package, the White House vowed to work toward repealing the provision.
The prohibition was one of many side issues included in the mammoth $1.2 trillion package to fund the government through September, which passed early Saturday shortly after a midnight deadline.
The White House said Saturday it would seek to find a way to repeal the ban on flying the rainbow flag, which celebrates the movement for LGBTQ equality.
"Biden believes it was inappropriate to abuse the process that was essential to keep the government open by including this policy targeting LGBTQI+ Americans," a White House statement said, adding that the president "is committed to fighting for LGBTQI+ equality at home and abroad."
The recent decision by the White House regarding the display of flags at U.S. embassies has sparked discussions. While a new law prohibits the flying of certain flags over State Department facilities, it does not restrict their display elsewhere on embassy grounds or inside offices. The White House clarified that this will not impact the LGBTQI+ community's ability to serve openly in embassies or celebrate Pride month.
The Biden administration's support for LGBTQ rights marks a significant shift from the previous administration. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has actively endorsed the flying of the rainbow flag at U.S. missions during Pride month, in contrast to the previous directive under Mike Pompeo, which limited flags to only the U.S. flag on embassy flagpoles.
During 2015, the White House was illuminated in a vibrant display of rainbow colors by the administration of former President Barack Obama. This spectacle brought joy to liberals and sparked outrage among some conservatives, marking the celebration of the groundbreaking Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide in the United States.
