US President Joe Biden has hosted the largest LGBT+ event in White House history to commemorate ‘pride month’ across the United States.
But it was a giant ‘pride flag’ that flew between two American flags at the same height on the balcony that became the centre of attention after a large picnic of supporters took place on the South Lawn.
The pride flag didn’t technically breach a code that says the US flag must always be higher than any other flag, because another American flag was on the roof of the White House. But for many observers, especially veterans, the perception was that the pride flag had equal billing.
Republican lawmakers called it “a disgrace” and “shameful” and accused the president of “putting his social agenda ahead of patriotism.”
Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro noted that “not one American soldier fought and bled for that flag.” Some distinguished veterans concurred.
Marine veteran Chad Robichaux told The New York Post: “The American flag is the symbol of freedom and equality for every skin colour, every sexual preference, no social group needs another flag. If every group could understand what the American flag truly represents, it would not be a divisive thing.”
“I question the utility of my combat sacrifices when the Commander-in-Chief determines the American flag should acquiesce to another symbol of pride,” said former Marine Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller.
“Every veteran that has fought for this country and sacrificed so much is disgusted by the symbolism of the pride flag overtaking our nation’s flag at the White House,” added former Marine Victor Marx.
The New York Post reports another ex-Marine Mark Geist noted: “The millions of Americans that have served under this flag, and the hundreds of thousands of Americans that have given their last full measure to defend this flag, have all been disrespected by this action.”
Focus On The Family’s Daily Citizen wrote that “To unveil a pride flag on the front of the most recognisable building in the United States, one that is supposed to represent the entire nation, is profoundly disunifying.”
It added that “Christians would be wise to remember pride is not a virtue; but a vice.”
President Biden posted on social media that “America is a nation of pride.”
He criticised Republican states for passing laws which are aimed at protecting children from LGBT ideology.
The president called for new measures to protect the rights and safety of LGBT+ people and urged Congress to pass the Equality Act which would amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity for protection alongside race, religion, sex and national origin, and ban assault weapons.
