Topline
Exxon Mobil Corp. has informed workers the company will not allow LGBTQ pride flags to be flown outside its offices during June–LGBTQ Pride month–according to Bloomberg, leading to backlash from some of its employees.
LGBTQ pride flags won’t be waving outside of Exxon facilities this June after the company moved to … [+] ban the displays, according to Bloomberg.
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Key Facts
The oil and gas giant issued updated guidance that bans “external position flags” that also includes flags in support of movements like Black Lives Matter, according to Bloomberg.
Employees at the Houston chapter of Exxon’s internal PRIDE organization have reportedly responded by refusing to participate in Houston’s June 25 Pride celebration.
The ban appears to stem from corporate leaders objecting to rainbow flags being flown at company facilities last year, according to an email from the Houston PRIDE chapter obtained by Bloomberg.
Exxon did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Forbes, but Tracey Gunnlaugsson, vice president of human resources, told Bloomberg the move is “intended to clarify the use of the ExxonMobil branded company flag and not intended to diminish our commitment to diversity and support for employee resource groups.”
She added Exxon instead supports displaying flags of employee resource groups during commemorative months, according to Bloomberg.
Crucial Quote
“It is difficult to reconcile how ExxonMobil recognizes the value of promoting our corporation as supportive of the LGBTQ+ community externally (e.g. advertisements, Pride parades, social media posts) but now believes it inappropriate to visibly show support for our LGBTQ+ employees at the workplace,” the Houston Exxon PRIDE group reportedly said.
Key Background
The move from Exxon comes at a time of heightened scrutiny for companies taking stances on social issues, and LGBTQ issues in particular. In Florida, for instance, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) on Friday signed a bill into law abolishing Walt Disney World’s ability to self-govern its massive property in response to Disney speaking out against Florida’s HB 1557, commonly derided by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” law. Texas Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick (R), who oversees the state Senate, said earlier this month he will prioritize passing legislation similar to the Florida law, which bans lessons about gender identity and sexual orientation for students below the fourth grade. Exxon is headquartered in Irving, Texas.
Tangent
The Pentagon has a policy in place banning the display of rainbow flags at Department of Defense facilities. The ban, which also prohibits the display of banners like the Confederate flag, was enacted during the Trump Administration and has remained in place despite President Joe Biden vowing during his campaign that he would reverse the policy for LGBTQ pride flags.
Further Reading
Exxon Ban on LGBTQ Pride Flag Triggers Employee Backlash (Bloomberg)
The Pentagon Is Keeping Its Ban On The Pride Flag And Other Flags At Installations (NPR)
Florida Punishes Walt Disney World As DeSantis Signs Bill Dissolving Special District Into Law (Forbes)
