Last week, some congressional Democrats reportedly replaced the POW/MIA flags outside their offices with transgender pride flags prior to the celebration of International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, according to The Washington Free Beacon.
Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA) replaced the POW flag outside her office with a transgender pride flag; Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) did the same, as reportedly did Rep Brad Schneider (D-IL), Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ), and California Rep. Pete Aguilar’s office, among others.
Schneider tweeted, “During #TransVisibilityWeek, we’ve displayed this flag outside our office door as a sign of support for the transgender community. We stand with you fighting for equality, dignity, and respect.”
Stanton tweeted, “Today we passed a bipartisan resolution opposing the President’s #TransMilitaryBan—no one with the strength and determination to serve should be turned away because of who they are. This flag is outside my office for #TransVisibiltyWeek to send the message: You #WontBeErased.”
Rep. Alcee Hastings added, “I will do everything I can to make sure transgender people #WontBeErased by violence, fear, or prejudice. For #TransVisibilityWeek, I’m honored to show my support for my transgender constituents & transgender people across the country.”
Schrier’s office stated, “We were asked to fly the Transgender Equality flag by the National Center for Transgender Equality this week ahead of Transgender Visibility Day on Sunday. Our POWMIA flag has been in the Congresswoman’s office this week. And will be back outside our office tomorrow.”
The National Center for Transgender Equality brought flags to congressional offices for them to display. The Center tweeted, “With the help of community members & volunteers, we delivered trans pride flags to EVERY member of the Congress, from every party, including voting members and non-voting delegates. Our request: Fly them outside your office for #TransVisibilityWeek.”
The Free Beacon also reported that a Republican office on the Hill informed the Free Beacon it was asked to replace its POW flag with the transgender pride flag and refused to do so.
Congressman Rick Larsen (D-WA) told the Jason Rantz Show that rules from the Architect of the Capitol stated that the offices of members of Congress are not permitted to display more than three flags. The usual trio of flags includes an American flag, a flag from the congressman’s state, and the POW/MIA flag.
Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), who added the transgender pride flag to the three flags he already displayed, tweeted, “During #TransVisibilityWeek I join in solidarity with transgender constituents in WA09 and transgender people across the country. In the halls of Congress, we should always remember our commitment to safety and equality for everyone. My office is welcome and open to all.”
The Hill reported:
Several lawmakers posted pictures of their flags on social media, including 2020 presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Andy Levin(D-Mich.), Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-Fla.) and Lori Trahan (D-Mass). House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.), Ayanna Pressley (Mass.) and Jennifer Wexton (Va.) also hung the flags outside their offices.