Crawling out from under his usual rock, Vice President Mike Pence has stepped forward to defend a ban on flying the Pride Flag at US Embassies.
“It’s the right decision,” Pence told NBC. “As the president said on the night we were elected, we’re proud to be able to serve every American. We both feel that way very passionately, but when it comes to the American flagpole, and American embassies, and capitals around the world, one American flag flies.”
Related: Embassies worldwide are defying Trump & flying the Pride flag without permission
The move to ban the Pride Flag reverses yet another Obama era policy which allowed foreign embassies to fly the flag alongside the American Flag during the month of June as an acknowledgment of the history and plight of queer people in the United States. Flying the Pride Flag also served as an example to other nations of American commitment to equality, and to encourage the respect and protection of LGBTQ people worldwide. Word of the ban only began to circulate after several US embassies were denied permission to fly the flag. The Trump Administration never made an official announcement of the policy.
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Trump, meanwhile, has continued to pay lip service to the queer community, even while attacking it with policy decisions. Trump’s re-election website sells an “LGBTQ for Trump” T-shirt, while Trump himself has tweeted that he supports the community. Pence personally has a long record of attacking the queer community, including encouraging conversion therapy.
Cam
Bigots gotta bigot.
betterthanu
Haterz gotta hate!
Goforit
bettethanu…. Yes, it is a shame that Pence and Trump feel the need to express their hate towards anyone that does not support their bigot cult.
HenryCameron
“…and we put no restrictions on any other flags or other displays at our embassies beyond that.” That is he rest of Pence’s statement. They didn’t “ban” the Pride flag at US embassies. They just said that only the US flag can fly on the official embassy flagpole. The giant Pride flags or rainbow Pride lighting adorning various embassy buildings, together with the President’s statement should clearly show the world the continuing and expanding US commitment.
“As we celebrate LGBT Pride Month and recognize the outstanding contributions LGBT people have made to our great Nation, let us also stand in solidarity with the many LGBT people who live in dozens of countries worldwide that punish, imprison, or even execute individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation. My Administration has launched a global campaign to decriminalize homosexuality and invite all nations to join us in this effort!”
Virpilosus
Sorry, Henry, but the Administration’s deeds speak more than its empty and hypocritical words. The current administration is not a friend of the LGBTQ victory.