The government funding bill, which is currently making its way through Congress, contains a provision that would effectively restrict the display of Pride flags at U.S. embassies.
The provision did not explicitly state it, but its wording resembles language used in other attempts to prohibit the display of Pride flags on government buildings.
According to the text, the Act explicitly prohibits the use of any funds to fly or display a flag over a facility of the United States Department of State. However, it is important to note that the Pride flag is not included in the list of exceptions.
In a statement from Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.), chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, the provision was described as “a rider that limits Pride flag displays at State Department buildings.”
The text utilizes language that bears resemblance to the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which imposed limitations on military service members and civilian Defense Department employees regarding the display of Pride flags in department workspaces, common areas, and public areas.
The text of the NDAA banned the exhibition of any flag that is not on the approved list in those areas. The list includes 10 approved flags, but it does not include the Pride flag. After the bill was passed in the House, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) stated that the bill would ensure that the “rainbow flag” would not be flown alongside the American Flag at military bases.
In November, Democrats sent a letter to party leaders and President Biden, urging them to reject the earlier version of the bill. This version included at least 40 anti-LGBTQ provisions. As a result, the recent move to remove these provisions is a response to the concerns raised by the Democratic party.
The provisions not only aimed to prevent the display of Pride flags at certain government facilities but also sought to limit access to gender-affirming health care.
The Congressional Equality Caucus declared that the Republican lawmakers’ efforts to undermine LGBTQI+ rights through the appropriations process have ultimately failed.
According to Pocan, Democrats were able to effectively remove over 45 anti-equality riders from the Fiscal Year 2024 funding bills through successful negotiations.
Advocates for LGBTQ rights have also hailed it as a victory.
Brandon Wolf, the national press secretary and senior director of political communications at the Human Rights Campaign, described the condition as a “mean-spirited but limited provision” that does not impose any restrictions on the display of Pride flags in most other cases in embassies, except for building exteriors.
