Utah passes biggest ban on Pride flags yet
On Thursday, Utah became the first state to ban Pride flags on all government buildings, including public schools.
The new law only permits certain flags to be flown on government buildings and schools, including the United States flag, the Utah state flag, military flags, tribal flags, college flags, Olympic and Paralympic flags, and others. Political flags, such as rainbow flags or Make America Great Again flags, are no longer permitted.
The legislation, which will take effect May 7th, drew accusations that the Republican-controlled state legislature is trying to “erase LGBTQ+ expression.” Each night since the bill was passed, local leaders in liberal Salt Lake City have lit the City-County Building in rainbow lights to protest the law. Republican Governor Spencer Cox has made it clear that he sympathizes with LGBTQ+ activists.
“To our LGBTQ community, I know that recent legislation has been difficult,” Cox said. “Politics can be a bit of a blood sport at times and I know we’ve had our disagreements. I want you to know that I love and appreciate you and I am grateful that you are part of our state. I know these words may ring hollow to many of you, but please know that I mean them sincerely.”
Governor Cox said on Thursday night that he is allowing the bill to become law without his signature because vetoing it would just be overrode by the Republican legislature, the Associated Press reported. While he said he agreed with the “underlying intent” of the law, he feels it went too far by restricting local governments from flying the Pride flag.
Utah’s flag ban is the most extensive so far. Idaho recently banned Pride flags from public schools but did not do so for other government buildings.
Federal ban on Pride flags
The Trump State Department has banned Pride and BLM flags from being flown at federal government facilities, a practice favored by the previous administration. Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed an order limiting the flags federal buildings may fly to the Stars and Stripes, the POW/MIA, and the Wrongful Detainees flags.
"Starting immediately, only the United States of America flag is authorized to be flown or displayed at U.S. facilities, both domestic and abroad, and featured in U.S. government content," the order states. "The flag of the United States of America united all Americans under the universal principles of justice, liberty, and democracy. These values, which are the bedrock of our great country, are shared by all American citizens, past and present."
Federal employees who violate the order may face disciplinary action.
"The U.S. flag is a powerful symbol of pride and it is fitting and respectful that only the U.S. flag be flown or displayed at U.S. facilities, both domestically and abroad," the policy memo adds.
