The internal State Department cable also noted that in some countries, a U.S. At least 69 countries around the world have laws criminalizing same-sex relations, according to Human Rights Watch. embassy could have greater significance in countries where LGBTQ communities face wider discrimination or even the threat of criminal prosecution or the death penalty, such as in Russia or countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
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The presence-or absence-of one above a U.S.
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embassies in countries with broad protections for LGBTQ communities-such as those in Western Europe, Latin America, South Africa, and Australia-are likely to fly the Pride flag. Three months into his job, Blinken has yet to name a State Department special envoy for LGBTQ rights, a post that was left vacant for much of the Trump administration. “I think the United States playing the role that it should be playing in standing up for and defending the rights of LGBTQI people is something that the department is going to take on and take on immediately,” Blinken said in January. law and regulation.”ĭuring his Senate confirmation hearing in January, Blinken vowed to stand up for LGBTQ rights, including allowing embassies to fly the Pride flag and swiftly appointing a special envoy once confirmed as President Joe Biden’s secretary of state. The Department supports their prerogative to manage mission operations to maximize their effectiveness in that role, within the confines of U.S. When asked for comment on the matter, a State Department spokesperson said: “Chiefs of Mission are the president’s direct representatives overseas. law, such flags are to be flown under the U.S. flag, with the exception of a foreign service flag or a prisoner of war/missing in action flag. diplomatic missions require prior written approval from senior State Department leadership in Washington to fly any flag from the same halyard as the U.S. It later removed the flag at the same time as the State Department ordered it to remove a Black Lives Matter banner.Īll U.S. Embassy in South Korea, for instance, displayed a large Pride flag on its facade, rather than on a flagpole. embassies worked around the Trump-era directive. In 2019, then-Vice President Mike Pence defended the move, telling NBC News in an interview that “when it comes to the American flagpole and American embassies and capitals around the world, one American flag flies.” Diplomats were told they could display Pride symbols elsewhere in embassies.
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embassies became a point of contention during the Trump era, when, under Pompeo, the State Department blocked embassies’ requests to fly the flag on the same flagpole as the U.S. The cable contained a hedge, though, saying the authorization is not a requirement and chiefs of mission who run each embassy or consulate can choose whether to fly the Pride flag or showcase other symbols connoting support for LGBTQ rights based on what is “appropriate in light of local conditions.”įlying the Pride flag at U.S. In a confidential cable reviewed by Foreign Policy and sent to diplomatic posts around the world, Blinken gave authority for diplomats to fly the Pride flag before May 17, which marks the international day against homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia, as well as June, which in the United States and many other countries is Pride month.
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The directive marks a departure from how the Trump administration handled the matter while the State Department was run by former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. flag at their embassy or consulate showcasing support for LGBTQ rights. diplomatic outposts around the world to fly the Pride flag on the same flagpole as the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has issued a blanket authorization for U.S.