California defies Trump by raising LGBT+ pride flag at government buildings

For the first time in state history, the governor of California, Gavin Newsom, had the pride flag raised at the State Capitol on Monday, sending a message of resistance to Trump's anti-Pride flag policy.

Taking to Twitter, the Democratic governor tweeted out the news with a photograph showing the Pride flag flying beneath the American flag midway through LGBT+ Pride Month, and it will stay in place until 1 July.

It comes as the Trump administration bans the rainbow flag to fly from government buildings.

In a tweet, he wrote:

In California, we celebrate and support our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community’s right to live out loud – during Pride month and every month.

By flying the pride flag over the State Capitol, we send a clear message that California is welcoming and inclusive to all, regardless of how you identify or who you love.

Newsom had previously expressed support for the LGBT+ community during Pride Month by sharing a post promoting 'love and acceptance':

Pride is about celebration, reflection, love, and acceptance. Wishing everyone in the LGBTQ+ community a joyful #PrideMonth

The decision comes as vice president Mike Pence confirmed that the Trump administration rejected US embassies' requests to fly the pride flag during Pride Month in June, reports the Huffington Post.

Defending the decision, he said:

I'm aware that the State Department indicated that on the flagpole of our American embassies, one flag should fly, and that's the American flag. And I support that.

Despite claiming that the reason for the ban is that 'one flag should fly' from American embassies, Pence has been a long time vocal opponent to LGBT+ equality, supporting conversion therapy, and fighting to stop marriage equality, reports the Huffington Post.

Amid the controversy, a number of other governors also shared their support for the policy. New York governor Andrew Cuomo wrote:

The LGBTQ pride flag raised over the State Capitol for the first time in New York State history. Happy #Pride!

Governor Tony Evers of Wisconsin also showed his support for the move, stating that despite the fact we're now '50 years since Stonewall', there is still a very long way to go:

Jared Polis, governor of Colorado, was also supportive:

The Pride Flag is on display this weekend at our Colorado State Capitol. I’m so proud to be the governor of a state that celebrates diversity and love.

In defiance of the Draconian laws, other US embassies across the country have also flown the Pride flag or got around the laws by projecting rainbow colours onto the sides of embassies.

Happy Pride!

HT Huff Post

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