Jeff Carey is a veteran reporter covering sports and architecture. He was the founding editor of the Minneapolis Mini Times, a local paper with a circulation of more than 500,000. He divides his time between the east and west coast.
Tallahassee - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has issued an executive order directing all state buildings to fly a plain white flag above the Florida state and U.S. national flags throughout the month of June in honor of Pride Month.
The Governor’s office released a statement Friday morning explaining the unprecedented directive: “The white flag is a symbol of unity, peace, and shared humanity. This month, it will fly above our state and national emblems to acknowledge our commitment to inclusion and to signal a new chapter in Florida's history—one where everyone is seen and valued.”
While the governor stopped short of directly referencing LGBTQ+ symbols such as the rainbow flag, the statement emphasized that the white flag represents "a truce with our past divisions" and is meant to “uplift the dignity of all Floridians regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or background.”
The directive has drawn sharply divided responses.
LGBTQ+ advocacy groups offered cautious praise. “It’s not the symbol we expected, but if the intention is true allyship, we’ll take meaningful progress however it comes,” said Jayla Thomas, director of Equality Florida. “We do, however, remain concerned that the Pride flag itself remains absent from official recognition.”
Conservative leaders, meanwhile, expressed confusion and concern. “This isn’t about unity—it’s about optics,” said State Representative Mark Ellison (R-Sarasota).
At a press conference Saturday, Governor DeSantis defended the symbolism of the white flag.
“June is about more than rainbow colors—it’s about reclaiming dignity, calling a ceasefire to division, and welcoming peace. The white flag is not surrender—it’s solidarity.”
He declined to say whether the policy would become an annual tradition.
Jeff Carey is a veteran reporter covering sports and architecture. He was the founding editor of the Minneapolis Mini Times, a local paper with a circulation of more than 500,000. He divides his time between the east and west coast.
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