Utah and Idaho capitals adopted new official city flags on Tuesday in response to state laws that prohibit unauthorized flags being displayed in schools and government buildings.
The national measures have been seen by civil rights groups as an effort to prevent flag displays that support LGBTQ people. The city council in Salt Lake City has approved three new flags. One is the rainbow color of the pride flag, the second in the pink and blue of the transgender pride flag, and the third in the date with a symbol and a date that marks the June holiday commemorating the end of slavery. Each flag also includes the city's symbol, Segorily.
In Boise, the city council designated a rainbow pride flag and a flag that promotes organ donation as the official city flag.
“The City of Boise will fly the flag at the City Hall Plaza, which represents our community, and talk about our value in caring for people and welcoming them all,” Boise Mayor Lauren McLean said in a statement before the resolution was adopted.
The Utah Legislature passed the law in March banning displays of flags that are not expressly approved in public schools and government buildings. (Fragments permitted under state law include American flags, state flags, city flags, other national and state flags, university and military flags.)
Republican Utah Gov. Spencer Cox allowed him to become law without signing, and he said he was worried it was too sweep, but realized that the veto would be void. The law did not expressly mention LGBTQ or pride flags, but sponsors of the bill showed that banning such flags is a major part of their motivation.
Earlier this year, Idaho also banned the display of unofficial flags on government buildings.
Democrat Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said in a statement that the new flag promoted unity. “I want all Salt Lakers to look into these flags and remind them that they value diversity, equity and inclusion,” she said.
In response to Salt Lake City's actions Tuesday, Republican Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz said in a statement from the Salt Lake Tribune:
He added: “Salt Lake City should focus on real issues, not on political theatres.”
State Sen. Daniel McKay, along with Salt Lake City's Sego Lily, chuckled at the city's actions by posting photos on social media of the flag, which displays the icons of the Mormon Church, the flag design for Israeli and President Trump's “Maga” slogan.
A similar state bill in Florida would have banned flags expressing “political perspectives.”
