Pentagon will not allow Pride flag to be flown at military bases

The Department of Defense will "maintain existing policy for the display of unofficial flags" and "not grant an exception to display the Pride flag" at military bases, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement to CNN.

Kirby said 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." This puts the Pentagon at odds with the State Department where Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a blanket authorization for US diplomatic outposts to fly the rainbow flag on the same flagpole as the American flag at embassies and consulates in April.