White House Slams Funding Bill Provision That Prohibits US Embassies From Displaying Pride Flags

By Trisha Andrada

Mar 25, 2024 03:30 AM EDT

Americans Celebrate Fourth Of July Across The Nation — A rainbow flag is seen outside the White House on Independence Day on July 4, 2021 in Washington, DC.
(Photo : Alex Wong / Getty Images)

White House officials vowed to omit a Republican provision that would have effectively barred the flying of LGBTQI+ Pride flags above the United States embassies after it was included in a federal funding bill on Sunday, March 24.

A spokesperson for the White House told ABC News that President Joe Biden feels it was improper to misuse the system that was required to keep the government open by inserting this policy targeting LGBTQI+ Americans.

"While it will have no impact on the ability of members of the LGBTQI+ community to serve openly in our embassies or to celebrate Pride, the Administration fought against the inclusion of this policy and we will continue to work with members of Congress to find an opportunity to repeal it," the representative stated.

Biden Commits to Advocate for LGBTQI+ Rights Locally and Abroad

To prevent a partial government shutdown, Biden signed a compromise bill on Saturday, March 23, that has support from both parties. In the massive $1.2 trillion deal to finance the government through September, this prohibition was one of several ancillary concerns.

The representative stressed that Biden would continue to advocate for LGBTQI+ equality both domestically and internationally. Reportedly, the White House was able to successfully oppose 50 or more policy riders that targeted the LGBTQI+ community.

While the relevant legislation does not outright prohibit the flying of Pride flags at embassies, it does restrict the use of money for the display of specific flags. These include the national flag, flags of the US military, flags of the states and the DC, flags of Indian tribal organizations, POW/MIA flags, and flags of federal agencies.

An American official said that the measure does not include diplomatic flags or flags flying inside workplaces.

People