16 MAY 2024 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL U.S. Ambassador John Sullivan and DCM Bart Gorman raise the Pride flag at Embassy Moscow on June 25, 2021. U.S. EMBASSY MOSCOW On March 23, the Biden administration endorsed a $1.2 trillion spending deal including a provision that limits the types of flags that can be flown at U.S. embassies overseas, effectively banning the flying of the Pride flag. This bill would reverse the 2021 State Department authorization allowing Pride flags to be flown at government buildings. White House Assistant Press Secretary Michael Kikukawa told Forbes that “President Biden believes it was inappropriate to abuse the process that was essential to keep the government open by including this policy targeting LGBTQI+ Americans.” Kikukawa added: “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.” New Spending Bill Bans Pride Flags
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