But what's powerful is that the breadth of LGBTQ+ representation continues to evolve, a nod to the diversity of sex, sexuality, attraction, and gender. There's also some disagreement about what should be considered the "official" flags, and controversy about some of the flags' origins and meaning. But the embassy in Seoul ultimately took the Pride banner down as the Trump administration simultaneously ordered it to remove a Black Lives Matter banner also hanging on the building's facade.This list of 30 Pride flags utilizes information from a range of sources, in particular The Advocate's comprehensive guide-but even outside of this article, there are many more iterations of Pride flags that exist, including flags from different countries and states flags that include relevant symbols and two or more flags combined into one. Some embassies sought to circumvent the Trump administration's directive by displaying the Pride flag on the building rather than the flag pole, such as the US Embassy in South Korea.
"When it comes to the American flagpole, and American embassies, and capitals around the world, having one American flag fly, I think is the right decision," Pence said at the time. Vice President Mike Pence, who's espoused anti-gay views and supported anti-LGBTQ legislation, in a 2019 NBC News interview backed the Trump administration decision to prohibit embassies from flying the Pride flag. Then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who publicly opposed same-sex marriage, said only the US flag should appear on the flagpole at US embassies.
This move reverses a decision from the Trump administration, which rejected requests from US embassies to fly the Pride flag. diplomatic facilities overseas," the spokesperson added. "If Chiefs of Mission determine that it is appropriate to do so, they may fly the Pride flag on external-facing flagpoles below the U.S. embassies and consulates develop individual plans to raise awareness of violence, human rights abuses, and discrimination targeting LGBTQI+ persons, including appropriate exterior displays. " "Recognizing that each country context is different, U.S. America is stronger, at home and around the world, when it is inclusive," a State Department spokesperson told Insider. "President Biden believes that America's strength is found in its diversity. The State Department confirmed to Insider that the Biden administration authorized embassies to fly the Pride flag. But the top US diplomat in the cable also said that this was not mandatory, leaving it up to diplomats to "determine that such a display is appropriate in light of local conditions," per the New York Times, which also reviewed the cable. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has authorized US embassies to fly the Pride flag, according to a State Department cable first reported by Foreign Policy.īlinken gave US diplomatic outposts the greenlight to fly the rainbow flag before May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, and to keep it on display through Pride Month in June.