diplomats said, embassies were told they can display the pride flag in other places, including inside embassies, but that requests to fly it on the flagpole must be specifically approved. Under State Department policy, embassies that want to fly the flag on their flagpoles are expected to obtain permission from Washington.ĭuring the Obama administration, the government granted blanket permission to embassies overseas to fly the pride flag during June. embassies have come from the office of the State Department's undersecretary for management, Brian Bulatao, a longtime associate of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who also worked for him at the CIA. Trump's administration has announced a campaign to decriminalize homosexuality overseas and this month issued a tweet and formal statement to 'celebrate LGBT Pride Month and recognize the outstanding contributions LGBT people have made.' Although the pride flag can and is being flown elsewhere on embassy grounds, including inside embassies and on exterior walls, the decision not to allow it on the official flagpole stands in contrast to President Donald Trump's claim to be a leader in supporting LGBTQ rights overseas.
