White House says it will fight ban on flying pride flags above U.S. embassies

[Geee]

Axios

The White House is vowing to repeal a provision banning U.S. embassies from flying LGBTQ+ pride flags.

The big picture: The ban was layered in the $1.2 trillion spending package signed by President Biden on Saturday and marks a reversal from the State Department's authorization in 2021 of U.S. diplomatic facilities around the world to fly pride flags.

What they're saying: A spokesperson for the White House told Axios in a statement that Biden "believes it was inappropriate to abuse the process that was essential to keep the government open by including this policy targeting LGBTQI+ Americans."

• The spokesperson added that 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."
• "We were successful in defeating 50+ other policy riders attacking the LGBTQI+ community that Congressional Republicans attempted to insert into the legislation. President Biden is committed to fighting for LGBTQI+ equality at home and abroad," they said.