Patriotism Not Pride Act: Federal Agencies Barred from Promoting Pride Month and Flying Identity Flags

This legislation, titled the “Patriotism Not Pride Act,” is straightforward: it completely stops federal agencies from using any taxpayer money to promote, organize, or officially recognize LGBTQI+ Pride Month or any activity with a “similar theme.” It also bans the display of any flag representing sexual orientation or gender identity on federal property.

The Federal Freeze on Pride Recognition

Section 2 is where the action is. It essentially puts a hard stop on federal recognition of Pride Month. If you work for a federal agency—say, the Department of Energy or the EPA—this means your office can’t spend funds on organizing a lunch-and-learn event recognizing Pride, posting official social media content celebrating it, or even printing informational flyers. The bill specifies that no federal money can be spent to “create, organize, run, participate in, advertise, or officially support” these activities. For federal employees who rely on Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for community support and professional development, this provision could mean the immediate defunding and disbanding of any official agency activities related to LGBTQI+ identity, effectively silencing formal recognition within the workplace.

Banning Identity Flags on Government Ground

The second major provision concerns the flags flown on federal property. This bill explicitly bans federal agencies from flying any flag that “represents sexual orientation or gender identity” on federal grounds. Think of the flagpoles outside post offices, national parks, or federal courthouses. Currently, the US flag and state flags are standard, but this provision ensures that flags like the Pride flag, the Transgender Pride flag, or others used to represent the community are specifically excluded. While some might see this as standardizing flag display, for LGBTQI+ individuals, particularly those visiting or working at federal facilities, this removes a significant and visible symbol of inclusion and recognition on government property. It's a clear move to restrict symbolic expression in spaces meant to serve all citizens.

What Does This Mean for the Everyday Person?

If you’re not a federal employee, the impact is mostly symbolic, but symbols matter. This bill restricts the federal government’s ability to acknowledge a specific minority group’s designated month of recognition. For taxpayers who oppose federal funding for these specific cultural recognitions, this bill aligns with their goal of fiscal conservatism by stopping the use of public funds for these events. However, for LGBTQI+ individuals and their allies, this legislation signals a retraction of official government recognition and support. It takes the federal government out of the business of affirming this community, potentially making federal spaces feel less welcoming or inclusive. The bill is unambiguous in its goal: to eliminate federal involvement in promoting or recognizing LGBTQI+ Pride Month and its associated symbols.