[News] Pence confirms Trump administration denied US embassy requests to fly Pride flag

[Lunix I]

Vice President Mike Pence on Monday confirmed that the Trump administration denied requests from U.S. embassies around the world to display a rainbow flag to celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month.

"I'm aware that the State Department indicated that on the flag pole of our American embassies that one flag should fly, and that's the American flag, and I support that," Pence told NBC News in an interview released Monday.

Pence's remarks come days after the news outlet first reported that the Trump administration was rejecting requests from U.S. embassies to fly the flag outside — an apparent reversal from the Obama administration.

At least four U.S. embassies — in Israel, Germany, Brazil and Latvia — were reportedly denied permission to fly flags in support of the LGBTQ community.

"But when it comes to the American flag pole and American embassies around the world, having one American flag fly, I think is the right decision," Pence said. "We put no restrictions on displaying any other flags or any other displays at our embassies beyond that."

The Obama administration granted blanket approval to fly the flag on outside flagpoles, NBC News reported, but State Department policy is that embassies are expected to ask for permission from Washington.

"As we celebrate LGBT Pride Month and recognize the outstanding contributions LGBT people have made to our great Nation, let us also stand in solidarity with the many LGBT people who live in dozens of countries worldwide that punish, imprison, or even execute individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation."