100 signatures reached
To: President Biden and Congress
Don't Ban LGBTQ+ Pride Flags at U.S. Embassies!
Congress finally passed a budget—but not before Republicans pushed through an anti-LGBTQ+ rider banning the Pride flag from U.S. embassies. This most recent example of Republican overreach sends a chilling message to LGBTQ+ people here and globally.
Sign the petition to demand that President Biden and Congress repeal the policy ASAP and allow U.S. embassies to fly Pride flags in time for International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on May 17 and in time for Pride month!
Why is this important?
The U.S. has more than 260 embassies and consulates across the world. U.S. embassies started flying Pride flags during President Obama's administration. Donald Trump banned the practice during his presidency, and President Biden reinstated it. Now, MAGA Republicans want to bring back Trump's hateful reversal and send a message to LGBTQ+ people across the globe.
One of the roles of our embassies is to project values around the world—including in countries that have yet to respect the dignity and equality of the LGBTQ+ community. The State Department and its ambassadors should project these values—and not be subject to the demands of hateful Republicans in Congress.
Anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes in the U.S. have gone up sharply over recent years, with the FBI declaring a chilling 13.8% increase in reports based on sexual orientation and 32.9% increase in reported hate crimes based on gender identity. And globally, it is still illegal to identify as LGBTQ+ in more than 70 countries, with many people forced to seek refuge and asylum, fearing their physical safety or even their life.
The Pride flag is not just a symbol of queer identity but also one of celebratory resistance and hope for freedom. By banning Pride flags from U.S. embassies, our government is allowing bigots to roll back LGBTQ+ progress and silence LGBTQ+ people and their allies—a foreboding warning not just for people in the U.S. but also LGBTQ+ people across the world.
Sign the petition to allow U.S. embassies to fly Pride flags!