LBGTQ rainbow flag flying at US embassy to the Vatican for Pride Month — and backlash is swift



An LBGTQ rainbow flag is flying at the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See for the month of June, which is Pride Month.

"The United States respects the dignity and equality of LGBTQI+ people," the embassy said on its Instagram page regarding the display of the rainbow flag. "LGBTQI+ rights are human rights."

What are the details?

An embassy statement to EWTN News Nightly says in part, "The United States will lead by the power of our example and pursue policy to end violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics."

EWTN reported that in previous years the rainbow flag was not flown for Pride Month at the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See but was flown at the U.S. Embassy to Italy. The outlet said the Vatican had no comment.

The U.S. Embassy to the Holy See is not in Vatican City but in the same compound as the U.S. Embassy to the Italian Republic, according to LifeSite.

'Shame on our State Department'

As you might imagine, backlash against the display of the rainbow flag was swift.

Nebraska Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts was not pleased with the move, noting on Twitter that "as a Catholic, I'm curious to know if the Biden-Harris Embassy in the Holy See will promote respect for Catholic teaching on family and freedom of conscience — or whether we can simply expect more political stunts like this."

As a Catholic, I’m curious to know if the Biden-Harris Embassy in the Holy See will promote respect for Catholic te… https://t.co/csFLgOFpDC

— Gov. Pete Ricketts (@GovRicketts) 1622594275.0

Evangelical Christian leader Franklin Graham also offered strong words in opposition to the gesture: "Shame on our State Department for allowing the American Embassy at the Vatican to fly the LGBTQ pride flag. What an insult to the Catholic Church! This flag is promoting an agenda, not a country, & to give it equal billing with the American flag is wrong."

Shame on our State Department for allowing the American Embassy at the Vatican to fly the LGBTQ pride flag. What an… https://t.co/BTgEmL9Rys

— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) 1622751546.0

Others expressed similar sentiments on the embassy's Instagram page:

  • "Your job is diplomacy NOT touting immorality," one commenter wrote.
  • "This is contrary to Catholic teaching and a slap in the face to actual practicing Catholics," another user declared. "Funny how you don't post this flag in Saudi Arabia and other countries…"
  • "Actually it's the month of the Sacred Heart," another commenter said. "Not the month of using a flag for false niceties."

Anything else?

As TheBlaze recently reported, Republican U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis of New York introduced a bill to prevent political flags other than the American flag from being flown outside U.S. embassies around the world in response to the Biden administration authorizing U.S. embassies to fly LGBTQ and Black Lives Matter flags.

U.S. Embassy to the Holy See Flies Pride Flag for the Month of June | EWTN News Nightlyyoutu.be

Republican introduces Stars and Stripes Act to ban Black Lives Matter and other 'political flags' from flying at US embassies



The Biden administration reportedly authorized U.S. embassies to fly LGBTQ and Black Lives Matter flags, as seen at the U.S. embassy in Athens, Greece. The gesture has prompted backlash from many, including Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), who introduced a new bill to prevent political flags other than the American flag from being flown outside U.S. embassies around the world.

We raise this flag to mark one year since the murder of George Floyd - we honor Mr. Floyd and stand in solidarity w… https://t.co/B3OQ8BgTWr

— US Consulate Thess (@USConsulateThes) 1621930934.0

The Republican representative from Staten Island introduced the Stars and Stripes Act of 2021, which "directs the Secretary of State to restrict the display of certain flags or banners at diplomatic and consular posts around the world."

"It is inappropriate for President Biden and Secretary Blinken to authorize and encourage the display of inherently political flags that are in no way affiliated with the U.S. Government over American embassies overseas," Malliotakis said,

"The American flag is a beacon of freedom and hope for oppressed peoples around the world; it should be the primary flag flown above our embassies and that is what my legislation seeks to accomplish," Malliotakis said. "The Administration's directive is an insult to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our flag and our nation — especially as we head into Memorial Day weekend — and it is absolutely ridiculous that legislation is needed to correct this issue."

The bill argues against supporting Black Lives Matter because the organization has called "convicting and banning former President Trump from holding future political office" and "defunding the police."

The Stars and Stripes Act of 2021 was co-sponsored by House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and Reps. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), Michael Guest (R-Miss.), Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Brian Mast (R-Fla.), and Pete Sessions (R-Texas).

Secretary of State Antony Blinken shared a video that featured BLM messaging on the anniversary of George Floyd's death.

"On the anniversary of George Floyd's murder, we remember that to be a credible force for human rights around the world, we must face the reality of racism at home," he wrote. "By addressing our shortcomings openly and honestly, we live up to the values that we stand for worldwide."

On the anniversary of George Floyd's murder, we remember that to be a credible force for human rights around the wo… https://t.co/1UxkhHzJfx

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) 1621949564.0

Biden admin grants authorization to fly LGBT pride flag at embassies on same official pole as American flag



The Biden administration has given blanket authorization to fly LGBT pride flags at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world. The rainbow flag — a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender pride — will be permitted to fly on the same official flagpoles that fly the American flag.

The new policy was announced by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, which repeals the decision by his predecessor Mike Pompeo during former President Donald Trump's tenure at the White House.

U.S. diplomatic outposts are given "blanket written authorization ... to display the Pride flag on the external-facing flagpole, for the duration of the 2021 Pride season," the cable said, according to ABC News. The cable was reportedly sent out this week, a little more than a month before Pride Month is celebrated in June and only weeks before International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia on May 17.

According to the cable, the Biden administration recognized that the LGBT gesture could be seen as inflammatory in certain countries.

"The cable contained a hedge, though, saying the authorization is not a requirement and chiefs of mission who run each embassy or consulate can choose whether to fly the Pride flag or showcase other symbols connoting support for LGBTQ rights based on what is 'appropriate in light of local conditions,'" as reported first by Foreign Policy.

"As a matter of policy, the United States does not advocate for or against same-sex marriage abroad," the confidential cable reportedly stated, adding that American outposts are encouraged to back "efforts to advance the fundamental freedoms of opinion and expression, peaceful assembly, and association ... Discussions of same-sex marriage may result in backlash against LGBTQI+ communities in certain contexts hence posts should consult with local advocates on messaging and outreach on this issue."

During his confirmation hearing in January, Blinken said, "I think the United States playing the role that it should be playing in standing up for and defending the rights of LGBTQ people is something that the (State) Department is going to take on and take on immediately," At the time, Blicken also promised to quickly fill the empty position of LGBTI envoy, which he declared to be "a matter, I think, of some real urgency."

The State Department provided a comment to the New York Post on the policy reversal, "President Biden believes that America's strength is found in its diversity. America is stronger, at home and around the world, when it is inclusive."

"Recognizing that each country context is different, U.S. embassies and consulates develop individual plans to raise awareness of violence, human rights abuses, and discrimination targeting LGBTQI+ persons, including appropriate exterior displays," the statement said.

The Trump administration permitted U.S. outposts to display LGBT signaling on other parts of the properties after getting permission from the State Department's Office of Management, but forbid any flags from flying on the same pole as Old Glory. In 2019, several American embassies defied the Trump administration's order and flew LGBT flags in honor of Pride Month. The U.S. embassy in South Korea hung a massive LGBT flag and Black Lives Matter flag on the facade of the building, but later removed them after orders from the State Department.

In 2019, then-Vice President Mike Pence defended the adjudgment to not allow the sexuality-related flag to be flown next to the Stars and Stripes. "As the president said on the night we were elected, we're proud to be able to serve every American," he told NBC News. "We both feel that way very passionately, but when it comes to the American flagpole, and American embassies, and capitals around the world, one American flag flies."