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.
As Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, a conservative Christian, scrambled for votes to get the bill passed in his chamber, he allegedly touted the Pride flag ban as a reason his party should support the bill, the Daily Beast reported.
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."
@ISIDEWITH9mos9MO
Does the prohibition of the Pride flag at U.S. embassies align with your understanding of freedom of expression?
@9L4727Y9mos9MO
Not necessarily, no. Banning is a bit extreme and does send a negative message. That being said, I see no reason for a flag representing sexual preferences to be flown at an embassy. Its virtue signalling, and serves no purpose being displayed on a government building,
@ISIDEWITH9mos9MO
In your opinion, what message does banning the Pride flag from embassies send to the LGBTQ community and its allies?
@9L47HQR9mos9MO
Stop suppressing people who have every right to express who they are
@ISIDEWITH9mos9MO
How would you react if a symbol important to your identity were banned from public display by the government?
@9L4CYKT9mos9MO
I would feel that my rights were being violated.
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