Biden to ban LGBTQ pride flags at US embassies in spending bill deal to avert shutdown
- The decision was part of a US$1.2 trillion spending deal to keep most US government agencies open through September 30
- Some conservatives have criticised US embassies’ display of the pride flag as politically divisive
House Speaker Mike Johnson has been promoting the flag prohibition, which was tucked into the funding agreement, as a victory for Republicans as he tries to rally support for the measure within his party.
The White House’s budget office in a statement endorsed the overall deal on Thursday and urged swift passage. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the flag provision.
Many US embassies have flown the rainbow-themed pride flag during the month of June, celebrated as LGBTQ Pride Month, and on May 17, which is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
Display of the pride banner has been a flashpoint with social conservatives since some embassies began displaying the flag during Democratic President Barack Obama’s administration. Republican President Donald Trump banned flying pride flags at US embassies. The Biden administration then reversed the ban shortly after taking office.