Pentagon Continues Ban on Pride Flags

Despite Biden’s pledge to undo Trump’s policy against the Pride flag ban, the Department of Defense announced that they’ve decided to maintain the Trump administration’s ban on Pride flags. 

Then Presidential candidate Biden, in response to the Trump administration’s policy against the Pride flag ban, previously tweeted, “Banning the LGBTQ Pride flag—the very symbol of diversity and inclusion—is undeniably wrong. The Pentagon should ensure it is authorized, or as President, I will.”

Banning the Confederate flag from military installations was long overdue.

Banning the LGBTQ Pride flag — the very symbol of diversity and inclusion — is undeniably wrong. The Pentagon should ensure it is authorized, or as President, I will.
https://t.co/rvA4F2YcPS

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 19, 2020

Amidst the announcement of the decision, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs John F. Kirby made a statement saying, “After some careful consideration, (the Pentagon) will maintain existing policy for … the display or depiction of unofficial flags” as to not create “other challenges,” and “there won’t be an exception made this month for the Pride flag.” He adds that the decision “(does not) in any way reflect on the respect and admiration we feel for all our LGBTQ+ personnel in and out of uniform,”

The decision to keep this Pride flag ban in place came as a shock to many. Rudy, Coots, president of affinity group Department of Defense Pride, says in a statement, “We were shocked to learn DOD’s (Department of Defense) new policy on the public display of flags bans the Rainbow Pride Flag from DOD workplaces,”

Although this announcement is not ideal for the community, the Biden administration, along with Defense Lloyd J. Austin, have made strides in putting several LGBTQ affirming policies into place and have revised many of the Trump administration’s previous anti-trans policies that were in place.

The first week President Biden was in office and the first full day Secretary Austin’s was in office, they reversed the ban that stopped transgender people from serving in the U.S. Military. Upon reinstatement, beginning in February, the Pentagon announced trans people could openly enlist. Along with being able to enlist, in March, the Pentagon issued a new set of rules to expand the protection and benefits for trans service members. 

The Biden administration has yet to comment on the Pentagon’s decision nor whether or not Biden will honor his previous pledge as an ally.