U.S.A.: FBI tells employees not to celebrate Pride Month in official capacity or on bureau time

Employees at the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the U.S.A. are permitted to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month, but only outside of office settings and on their personal time. An email sent by FBI Assistant Director for Public Affairs, Ben Williamson, to assistant directors in charge and special agents in charge stated, “There should be no official FBI actions, events, or messaging regarding Pride Month.” Fox News acquired and first reported this email. Williamson noted he had received multiple inquiries concerning Pride Month and mentioned that employees may observe it in their “personal capacity” during their own time, according to ‘Yahoo! News’.

He emphasised, “But on FBI time, using FBI resources and your Bureau affiliation, you and your divisions are expected to take no official actions or issue any specific messaging.” This does not diminish the FBI’s dedication to serving and protecting every one in the U.S.A. or to welcoming colleagues from diverse backgrounds, but it ensures the focus remains on their core mission.

This announcement follows the cessation of all diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the federal government under Donald Trump. During President Joe Biden's tenure, the FBI observed Pride Month through various activities, such as displaying the Pride flag at its Washington, D.C., headquarters and having agents participate in Pride events. For example, agents from the FBI field office in Kansas City, Missouri, joined the city’s Pridefest in 2023, donning rainbow-striped shirts.

According to a 2023 press release about the Kansas City event, “The FBI’s goal was simple: make sure everyone who attended the festival knew they could come to the Bureau to report hate crimes — whether they were a victim or a witness.” Additionally, the FBI encouraged LGBTQ+ community members to consider employment with the Bureau and aimed to build a positive relationship between law enforcement and the community.

The FBI did not provide a comment to Fox News, and The Advocate could not reach the bureau’s national press office for a statement.