Intel rainbow

UK Foreign Spy Agency Flies Rainbow Flag, Says Diversity Gives it Edge

Britain's foreign spy agency MI6 flew a rainbow flag outside its London headquarters to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on Tuesday, and to woo potential applicants from the gay community.

Britain's spy agencies historically saw gay spies as a security risk, considering them much more vulnerable to blackmail, but dropped a hiring ban just over 25 years ago.

In January the domestic intelligence agency MI5 was named the country's most gay-friendly employer by rights group Stonewall.

The flag was hoisted outside the Secret Intelligence Service's building overlooking the River Thames, well-known for its appearance in James Bond movies.