As a show of solidarity with the local Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) community, the United States Embassy in Kingston, officially raised the rainbow flag in Jamaica. 

Following on the mandate of US President Joe Biden, the pride flag was lifted alongside the American flag in a brief ceremony at the embassy’s Old Hope Road headquarters on Friday (June 11).  In a surprising twist, the pride flag was later taken down.

Delayed by 11 days, the Biden Administration’s pledge was actualised in Jamaica, as embassies across the world raise rainbow flags in observance of Pride Month 2021.

In a statement on its official Facebook page, the US Embassy in Kingston argued that it stands in support for full inclusion of LGBT rights across the island.

“The US reaffirms that #LGBTQI+ rights are human rights. No group should be excluded from those protections, regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, sex characteristics, disability status, age, religion, or belief. #YouAreIncluded #Pride2021,” the embassy wrote.

It is the second time in five years that the pride flag is being officially flown by the US Embassy, after the LGBT symbol was raised in June 2016 following the deadly Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando, Florida. 

The US Embassy indicated its intent to fly the rainbow flag at half-mast in mid-June and delivered on its promise to commiserate with victims of the Orlando mass shooting, which claimed 53 lives.

Hours after Prime Minister Andrew Holness and others across the political landscape expressed condolences, Attorney-General Marlene Malahoo Forte led a wave of backlash to the move, as she and some Jamaicans contended that it was “disrespectful” to the island’s laws for the rainbow flag to be lifted on domestic soil. 

Our Today can confirm pride flags or the rainbow colours associated with Pride Month are currently also on display in The Bahamas and Guyana. 

At least one Christian group in the Bahamas has denounced the gesture, however, and demanded that the US stop pushing its “lifestyle agenda”.

• See related article: ‘Rainbow flag row’ intensifies in The Bahamas

UPDATE (3:55 pm): Our Today has been informed that the change was due to a mishap at the flag-raising ceremony. The flag has since returned.