Carbondale Reporter

A group of Republican members of Congress recently wrote a letter to U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough questioning the legality and purpose of displaying Pride flags at VA facilities during June, which is designated Pride Month.

“As your policy makes clear, the Pride flag should never replace an American flag, a flag that honors the service of one of the branches of our Armed Forces, a flag representing the deal of the Department, or the POW/MIA recognition flag,” a letter signed by Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL), who chairs the House Committee on Veteran Affairs, said.

Following in the traditions of years past, President Joe Biden issued a May 31 proclamation declaring “June 2023 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Pride Month.”

He gave authority to the Department of Veterans Affairs to display the Pride flag at its facilities in his proclamation. 

“I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the achievements of the LGBTQI+ community, to celebrate the great diversity of the American people and to wave their flags of pride high,” Biden wrote.

In response to this, 31 House Republicans, including House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, House Committee on Ethics Chairman Michael Guest and House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman, have signed a letter sent to McDonough. The letter gave a scathing response, noting the move was political.

“I am sure you would agree with us that the Pride flag is viewed by many, including numerous veterans our offices have engaged with as a political symbol reflective of a social movement and represents only one group of Americans,” the letter reads.

The legislators request written information as a response by the end of the day on June 16, about the specific policies and procedures of the Pride flags that might be displayed at VA facilities and cemeteries. 

The specific concern of these legislators is that the Pride flag is being displayed in place of another normally displayed flag, “such as the American flag, whose stars and stripes represent all Americans.” In the letter, Republicans said they are not aware of other flags, such as Black History in February, Women’s History Month in March, or Hispanic Heritage Month in September, being flown as a replacement for traditional military service flags. 

“Veterans who have served our country deserve to enter a facility that is free from discrimination and political posturing,” the letter said.