Overview
- At a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing Thursday, Under Secretary Sarah B. Rogers said the department was "trying to make the maps more gay" when pressed about "queering the map."
- She referenced Czechia and Slovakia in her response and on Friday posted an apology to both countries on X.
- Rogers said future public diplomacy grants will be streamlined and directed to "real American interests" such as free speech and sports diplomacy.
- Republican members, led by Rep. Brian Mast, criticized Biden-era DEI-oriented grants and requested receipts, related documentation, and the identities of grant writers.
- Lawmakers cited additional examples of disputed projects, including efforts on inclusive French in Montreal and LGBTQ+-focused cultural programs overseas.