Boris Flies the LGBT Flag in British Embassies… But No Other Special Interest Groups Allowed

Aug 31, 2016 by

PETITION From Citizen Go:

The UK’s new Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, has overturned a “ban” on flying the ‘LGBT pride’ (the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender pride) flag from UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office buildings.

The previous Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond had ruled that only the Union flag, the flags of the nations and overseas territories of the United Kingdom, and the EU flag could be flown from UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) buildings. This includes embassies and high commission office buildings. All other flags were excluded – including the LGBT pride flag.

Philip Hammond resisted pressure from the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee which recommended that the LGBT flag should be flown in countries where the staging of gay pride events is prohibited.

In an official response to the report as recently as July 11, the Foreign Office said: “The FCO has a very clear policy on flag flying: it is to fly the Union flag at the FCO and all its embassies, high commissions and consulates at all times.

“The only other flags that are flown are of the constituent countries of the UK and the UK overseas territories on significant days for them, and the European Union flag in certain countries.

“These flags are always flown in addition to the Union flag and in a junior position. The UK is a member of, or supports, many organisations and associations, but does not fly any other flags.”

Boris Johnson however, in one of his first acts as Foreign Secretary overturned this ruling.

Read and sign petition here

 

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