On Wednesday, a House Republican has now reportedly submitted legislation that would prohibit flags other than the American flag from being flown over US embassies and other consular posts, in response to the Biden administration’s decision to fly Pride and Black Lives Matter flags over such diplomatic sites.
Rep. Jeff Duncan presented the Old Glory Only Act (R-SC).
“The American flag is a beacon of liberty, and no other flag or symbol better portrays our shared values than the Stars and Stripes. It is important to ensure that Old Glory only is flown at American embassies to represent our ideals abroad.” Duncan said in a statement on the matter.
The drive to fly a pride flag began during the Obama administration in 2014 and has subsequently expanded to several countries’ embassies.
When the United States Embassy in the Vatican raised a rainbow flag to mark Pride Month in June 2022, it drew harsh criticism.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has given permission for all US embassies and consulates around the world to fly BLM flags on their official flagpoles.
The State Department permitted the use of BLM flags at embassies in May 2021 to commemorate the one-year anniversary of George Floyd’s death on May 25, 2021.
Today is the start of #Pride Month. The United States respects and promotes the equality and human dignity of all people including the LGBTQIA+ community. #PrideMonth #AllInclusive #Pride2022 pic.twitter.com/6VgN9R8c3J
— U.S. in Holy See (@USinHolySee) June 1, 2022
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo refused requests from embassies to raise non-American flags under the administration of former President Donald Trump.
Under the Biden administration, the decision was reversed in 2021, enabling embassies and other US establishments on foreign land to display the Pride flag.
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