Employees at the Federal Bureau of Investigation are free to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month — but only away from the office and on their own time.
“There should be no official FBI actions, events, or messaging regarding Pride Month,” said an email sent Thursday by FBI Assistant Director for Public Affairs Ben Williamson to assistant directors in charge and special agents in charge. It was obtained and first reported by Fox News. Williamson said he had received numerous questions about Pride Month. He added that employees are free to observe Pride in their “personal capacity” or on their own time.
“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,” he said. This “in no way lessens the FBI’s commitment to serve and protect every American in our country or welcoming colleagues from all walks of life,” he continued, but “what it does mean is ensuring that the American people see we are focused only on our core mission.”
