U.S. Embassies Not Approved to Fly Pride Flag on Flagpoles During June

During the month of Pride, the Trump administrative is rejecting any request from the U.S. embassies to fly the colorful pride flag on embassy flagpoles during June, according to three American diplomats.

Among those who have requested permission from the Trump’s State Department to fly the pride flag on their flagpoles are U.S. embassies in Israel, Germany, Brazil, and Latvia, but all have been denied.

However, the flag is allowed to be flown elsewhere on embassy grounds, which include the inside and outside walls. The Trump administration has announced a campaign to decriminalize homosexuality overseas this coming month on Twitter, tweeting,” celebrate LGBT Pride Month and recognize the outstanding contributions LGBT people have made.”

Brian Bulatao, the associate of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his office of the states department undersecretary management, were responsible for most of the rejected request. The State Department requires embassies that want to fly any flag on their flagpoles to obtain approval from Washington.

During the Obama administration, the U.S. government granted blanket approval for embassies to hang their flag during the month of June. However, this year U.S. diplomats claim that embassies were told they were allowed to display the pride flag in other places, including inside the embassies, yet the specific request to fly the flag must be approved. No approvals have been made yet, and no further information has been disclosed.

“The President’s recognition of Pride Month and his tweet encouraging our decriminalization campaign gives me even more pride to once again march in the Berlin Pride parade, hang a huge banner on the side of the Embassy recognizing our pride, host multiple events at the Embassy and the residence, and fly the gay pride flag,” Grenell noted Friday in a interview with NBC News.

This weekend is L.A. Pride, and the streets of Melrose will be filled with colorful floats, and thousands will be in attendance. The pride event itself is a two-day event which holds a stage and other fun activities that all share the message of love and acceptance. The scene is filled with people of all color and ages, with Santa Monica Blvd shut down due to the massive crowds and fleet of company-sponsored floats all with there to celebrate Pride 2019.

source http://www.ivdaily.com/u-s-embassies-not-approved-to-fly-pride-flag-on-flagpoles-during-june