While the commonly recognized rainbow flag is prohibited, Exxon supports displaying banners and flags with logos of so-called employee resource groups, especially during signature months, Gunnlaugsson said. “We’re committed to keeping an open, honest, and inclusive workplace for all of our employees, and we’re saddened that any employee would think otherwise.” “The updated flag protocol is intended to clarify the use of the ExxonMobil branded company flag and not intended to diminish our commitment to diversity and support for employee resource groups,” Tracey Gunnlaugsson, vice president of human resources, said in a statement. Read More: Florida Republicans Want to Punish Disney for Opposing the ‘Don’t Say Gay Law.’ Here’s What That Means for the Company last month decided to publicly oppose legislation promoted by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis that critics call the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, prompting lawmakers to move to strip the entertainment giant of special self-governance privileges. The dispute comes as employees, investors and customers increasingly push America’s biggest corporations to take stances on social issues such as LGBTQ rights, racial equality and abortion. “PRIDE was informed the justification was centered on the need for the corporation to maintain ‘neutrality.’”
embassies and envoys were allowed to “determine that such a display is appropriate in light of local conditions.“Corporate leadership took exception to a rainbow flag being flown at our facilities” last year, Exxon’s PRIDE Houston employee group wrote in the email Thursday. However, Blinken stated that flying the flag was not a requirement and U.S. embassies will be embraced in some countries, others, such as in some areas of the Middle East and North Africa, will likely find it controversial due to differing outlooks and laws surrounding the LGBTQ+ community, where same-sex relationships are illegal. Blinken has not named an envoy at this time. He said this would include reauthorizing the flying of the pride flag at embassies, rejecting the Trump administration’s “Commission on Unalienable Rights” findings, and appointing an LGBTQ+ envoy. embassies from flying the pride flag and the American flag on the same pole, stating that the American flag should always fly alone.ĭuring his January confirmation hearing, Blinken stated that he would support and protect the rights of members of the LGBTQ+ community. While President Trump was in office, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo forbade U.S. The New York Times cites a cable, as well as a State Department official, which states diplomats have permission to fly the pride flag prior to May 17, which is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, and allows them to remain raised through June. diplomats to fly the rainbow ride flag at embassies and consulates on the same pole as the American flag, according to the New York Times.īlinken’s action is a reversal of a Trump administration decision in 2019 that prohibited embassies from flying the flag during Pride month, which is observed in June.Īmerica is changing faster than ever! Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news. Secretary of State Antony Blinken authorized U.S.