Cowering To Pressure By Anti-Gay Conservatives, Federal Reserve Bank Of Richmond Sends Memo That It Will Not Fly Pride Flag In 2012

Pushback over a rainbow flag flown by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond over the summer apparently was forceful enough that there won't be a repeat display next year. The Virginian-Pilot is reporting that in a memo to employees Friday, bank officials defended the decision to fly the flag in June to recognize Gay Pride Month and promote diversity, but said future recognitions of the pride month will not be as publicly visible. "At this time, we have decided to limit our external displays to those that are directly related to our central bank role or are part of a visible community-wide observance," reads the memo signed by bank President Jeff Lacker and First Vice President Sally Green. Social conservatives criticized the bank last summer after the flag was raised arguing it was inappropriate for a quasi-governmental institution to prominently showcase a symbol that they said conveyed a political message. Among them was Delegate Bob Marshall, R-Prince William County, who wrote bank officials demanding the flag be removed. It remained in place for the duration of the month. Gay rights advocates who praised the bank decision at the time are now likely to be dismayed. The Family Foundation welcomed the change, declaring it "a clear indication that the bank over stepped its bounds when it made the decision to fly the flag in the first place."