1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

As legislators, it is imperative that we uphold the fundamental rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The provision in the defense appropriations bill H.R. 2882 restricting the display of pride flags at U.S. State Department facilities sends a message of exclusion and undermines our nation's commitment to promoting human rights and diversity on the global stage. This limitation not only hinders the State Department's efforts to support LGBTQI+ communities worldwide but also contradicts the values of equality and inclusion that our nation upholds. By denying the symbolic representation of pride flags, we risk alienating and marginalizing a significant portion of our global citizens.