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
How would you react if a symbol important to your identity were banned from public display by the government?
@9L4FB2F9mos9MO
People should be allowed to express themselves
I want to learn more about my culture.
@ISIDEWITH9mos9MO
In your opinion, what message does banning the Pride flag from embassies send to the LGBTQ community and its allies?
I think that banning the pride flag is the right thing to do as it is not relevant at all to embassies
@9L4FS62Katter’s Australian9mos9MO
We are too afraid to trigger the soft stances of a minority group
I think we should ban the pride flag along with all gays and make it a criminal offence if you are gay or a part of the lgbtq community
Why are y’all homophobic, we’re taking away more men for you and leaving more women.
@ISIDEWITH9mos9MO
Does the prohibition of the Pride flag at U.S. embassies align with your understanding of freedom of expression?
@9L49JZ39mos9MO
No, it does not align because freedom of expression means that anyone can freely speak about and perform acts to do with their religion, gender, and sexuality. This act of prohibition on an already vulnerable minority group does not instill the confidence that they are supported by the U.S. embassies.
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