Last week, the Department of Defense indicated that they don’t have the same viewpoint as Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s when it comes to flying the LGBT pride flag.
They said they won’t allow the flag to be flown on its premises to celebrate Pride month.
John Kirby, the department’s spokesman said:
“After some careful consideration the department will maintain the existing policy regarding the display” at military bases. “There won’t be an exception made for the Pride flag. This in no way reflects any lack of respect or admiration for the LGBTQ+ community. This was really more about the potential … for other challenges that could arise from that exception.”
The US Department of Defense says after "careful consideration", "there won't be an exception made" for the pride flag to be displayed at American military bases this month.https://t.co/UQYFEfOHBu
— Forces News (@ForcesNews) June 7, 2021
Back in April, Foreign Policy noted the following:
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has issued a blanket authorization for U.S. diplomatic outposts around the world to fly the Pride flag on the same flagpole as the U.S. flag at their embassy or consulate showcasing support for LGBTQ rights. 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.
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.
Pentagon Press Sec. Kirby: “After some careful consideration, the Department [of Defense] will retain the existing policy, […] regarding the display or depiction of unofficial flags, so there won’t be an exception made this month for the Pride Flag.” https://t.co/95Cds2VWsw pic.twitter.com/XGrFcSa7pg
— The Hill (@thehill) June 5, 2021
Two weeks ago, it was reported that Blinken gave American embassies permission to fly the BLM flag:
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has authorized U.S. embassies around the world to fly Black Lives Matter (BLM) flags and banners, according to an internal cable reviewed by Foreign Policy, as part of the administration’s response to the one-year anniversary of the police murder of George Floyd that sparked international outrage and a nationwide reckoning on systemic racism.
The U.S. State Department cable gives chiefs of missions, who head U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, “blanket written authorization” to display BLM flags and banners as “appropriate in light of local conditions.” It stresses the directive is an “authorization, not a requirement.”
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis says political organizations such as BLM "should not have their flags flying above [US] embassies," while Secretary of State Antony Blinken argues the symbolism helps gives a voice to citizens of oppressive countries. pic.twitter.com/2q7aZzR7z5
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) June 7, 2021
Also, an internal State Department memo read:
“We encourage posts to focus on the need to eliminate systemic racism and its continued impact.”
.@RealCandaceO blasts U.S Government for officially supporting BLM Inc. and flying its flag at embassies around the world: pic.twitter.com/c0LN8mokTo
— Benny (@bennyjohnson) May 26, 2021
Political commentator Candace Owens also chimed in on the matter, saying:
“The U.S. embassies are celebrating black death. The consequence of the Black Lives Matter movement — and I cringe when people call it Black Lives Matter protests, because, you know what, Tucker, it is Black Lives Matter riots. The cities burned for six weeks straight following the death of George Floyd. Black neighborhoods were rioted, they were looted and it led to more black death. Way more black Americans died during the Black Lives Matter riots than the one black American that was killed by a police officer that allegedly started this entire spree.”
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