Pentagon Upholds Ban on Flying Pride Flag at Military Installations
The Pentagon confirmed in a June 4 press briefing it will not allow the gay pride flag to wave at military facilities during Pride Month.
Current policy states only flags representing states and U.S. territories, military services, prisoners of war and missing in action and national flags of U.S. allies are allowed to fly over Department of Defense installations.
The Trump administration put into effect a policy that limits the flags to those listed in July 2020 when the Confederate flag was barred from being flown, though the policy does not specifically reference it.
Of this decision, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said after “careful consideration,” the department officials chose not to make an exception, as it would open the door to discussion on flying additional non-military related flags in the future.
Kirby outlined two details taken into consideration when the pride flag came under unofficial review in the department.
“This in no way reflects any lack of respect or admiration for people of the LGBTQ+ community, personnel in and out of uniform who serve in this department. We’re proud of them,” Kirby said. “I mentioned that on Monday the secretary’s pride and respect and admiration for the service that they render to their country.
“This was really more about the potential for, an exception in this case, about the potential for other challenges that could arise from that exception … and it was really about that than anything else,” he continued. “It’s certainly not a statement of anything other than that fact—full respect and admiration for that service.”
This announcement comes on the heels of President Biden’s formal acknowledgement of June as the official “LGBTQ Pride Month.”
“This Pride Month, we recognize the valuable contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals across America,” Biden wrote. “And we reaffirm our commitment to standing in solidarity with LGBTQ+ Americans in their ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice.”
Biden continued, referencing the “historic actions” his administration has taken since his time in office to “deliver full equality for LGBTQ+ families.” {eoa}
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