Biden Administration Reverses Pride Flag Embassy Ban

Keegan (they/them) is a journalist/artist based in Los Angeles.

Following a Trump-era ban against it, the State Department is allowing all American embassies around the world to fly the rainbow LGBTQ Pride flag along with the American flag once more, according to a memo obtained by Foreign Policy.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken gave authority for diplomats to fly the Pride flag before May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, and in time for June, the widely celebrated Pride Month.

The confidential cable also indicated that authorization was not a requirement, and chiefs of mission in charge of running each embassy, on consulate, are able to choose whether or not to fly the Pride flag, or showcase “other symbols” that show support of the LGBTQ community and LGBTQ rights, based on what is “appropriate in light of local conditions.”

Flying the Pride flag first became an issue in the Trump administration responsible for instating the ban, diplomats being told requests to fly the flag on the same flagpole would be block, but that they could display Pride symbols in other places within embassies.

Then-Vice President Mike Pence defended the move in an interview with NBC News, saying that, “… when it comes to the American flagpole and American embassies and capitals around the world, one American flag flies.”

With the new changes, all U.S. diplomatic missions still require prior written approval from senior State Department leadership to fly any flag from the same pole as the U.S. flag, exceptions including a foreign service flag or a prisoner of war/missing-in-action flag. Such flags must be flown under the U.S. flag.

Blinken vowed during his Senate confirmation hearing in January to stand up for LGBTQ rights, including this move to allow embassies to fly the Pride flag.

“I think the United States playing the role that it should be playing in standing up for and defending the rights of LGBTQI people is something that the department is going to take on and take on immediately,” Blinken said.