SOCIETYNEWS

Department Of Defense Chooses Not To Fly Pride Flag

By Kris Di
Department Of Defense Chooses Not To Fly Pride Flag

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.” 

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.

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.”

Also, an internal State Department memo read:

“We encourage posts to focus on the need to eliminate systemic racism and its continued impact.”

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.”

What are your thoughts on the Department of Defense’s decision? Let us know by joining the conversation in the comments and please share this article if you’ve found it of value.

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