The Department of Commerce announced June 2 that during the LGBTQI+ Pride Month in June the department will fly the Progress Pride flag at the Herbert Hoover Building.
According to a department news release, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo made the announcement during a ceremony with staff employees in attendance.
“With this flag, we’re reaffirming our support for the LGBTQI+ members of the Commerce team, and the Biden administration’s commitment to building a more inclusive society for all Americans,” Raimondo said, according to the release.
The flag strives to celebrate LGBTQI+ community diversity, according to the release, which “includes trans and non-binary individuals and communities of color that are marginalized.”
Raimondo also announced during the ceremony that the department is working to increase equity and inclusivity in internal operations. This includes a novel gender identity protections policy, and gender neutral language in agency policy and procedures.
“In too many places, workers can still be fired solely based on whom they love,” Raimondo said, according to the release. “As we celebrate Pride Month, let’s also recommit ourselves to staying in the fight, for equality, inclusion and respect for all members of the LGBTQI+ community.”
Raimondo noted that individuals of the transgender and gender non-conforming community are experiencing record numbers of violent incidents and that too many Americans are struggling to live freely, adding “authentically is far from over.”
