In another reversal of the previous administration, U.S. embassies received a cable from Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week containing a "blanket authorization" to raise the Pride flag this year.
The announcement came ahead of International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia in May and Pride Month in June.
The cable authorized U.S. missions to display the Pride flag if they choose to do so "on the external-facing flagpole, for the duration of the 2021 Pride season." The cable was sent out early to include IDAHOT, observed May 17.
The cable encouraged missions to develop policy and events for both IDAHOT and Pride Month. "This is an authorization, not a requirement," the cable stated.