Mike Pence says banning pride flags at US embassies is 'the right decision'
Pence said he was aware of reports that only the American flag was allowed to be flown, and "I support that."
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Mike Pence says banning pride flags at US embassies is 'the right decision'
Nicholas Wu, USA TODAYPublished 7:05 a.m. ET June 11, 2019 | Updated 12:18 p.m. ET June 11, 2019
Vice President Mike Pence traveled to storm and flood-ravaged Oklahoma Tuesday, pledging to rebuild parts of the state damaged by flooding. (June 4) AP, AP
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WASHINGTON — In a Monday evening television interview, Vice President Mike Pence confirmed reports that American embassies had been banned from flying the pride flag on their embassy flagpoles.
In an interview with NBC News, Pence said, “I’m aware that the State Department indicated that on the flagpole of our American embassies that one flag should fly, and that’s the American flag, and I support that."
The Trump administration came under fire at the beginning of June for allegedly banning U.S. embassies from flying the pride flag. American diplomats told NBC Newsthat embassies, including those in Israel, Germany, Brazil and Latvia, had requested to fly the pride flag alongside the American flag on their embassy flagpoles and were denied. June is Pride Month, a month-long celebration of the LGBTQ community.
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Multiple embassies still flew the pride flag or held their own observations of Pride Month, a move seemingly in conflict with the ban, according to the Washington Post.
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Randy Berry, the ambassador to Nepal and the Obama administration's special envoy for the human rights of LGBTI persons, tweeted a pride observance at the beginning of the month along with his embassy staff all dressed in rainbow colors.
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Ambassador Randy Berry
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https://twitter.com/USAmbNepal/status/1134670747039805441
Today, along with the U.S. Mission in Nepal community, I join people around the world in celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Intersex #PrideMonth, and reaffirm the U.S. commitment to defending human rights for all. #Pride2019
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Pence noted that the Trump administration placed no restrictions on the display of other flags or other pride memorabilia elsewhere in embassies.
State Department policy requires embassies to request permission from the State Department if they wanted to fly another flag underneath the American flag. But under the Obama administration, embassies were generally given permission to do so. The decision to fly a pride flag usually was left to the individual chief of mission or the ambassador.
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When asked if the ban on the pride flag contradicted the Trump administration's observances of pride month, Pence replied, "as the president said on the night we were elected, we're proud to be able to serve every American."
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He continued, saying, "We both feel that way very passionately, but when it comes to the American flagpole, and American embassies, and capitals around the world, having the one American flag fly, I think it is the right decision."
The Trump administration started a global campaign to decriminalize homosexuality but has been criticized for its record on LGBT rights. The administration's ban on some recruits with gender dysphoria went into effect in mid-April, and Trump previously said that he wanted to ban all transgender recruits from the military.
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On Pride Month, no less, this decision will cause controversy. I suppose this supports Pence's stance on gay rights. Would this mean support from the Islam community?
