In a recent development, Utah has become the first state to enforce a law prohibiting the display of LGBTQ+ pride flags at schools and government buildings, following the decision by the Republican governor to allow the ban on unsanctioned flag displays to become law without his signature.
Governor Spencer Cox expressed his reservations about the policy but chose not to oppose it, anticipating that his veto could be easily overridden by the predominantly Republican legislature.
Starting May 7, the new regulation stipulates that any state or local government building displaying flags other than those sanctioned, including the United States flag, Utah state flag, military flags, or others approved by legislators, will face a fine of $500 per day. Political flags associated with candidates or parties, such as Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” flags, are also explicitly prohibited.
The law has the potential to increase tensions between the conservative state government and the more liberal Salt Lake City. Known for celebrating Pride Month with the display of rainbow flags to honor its vibrant LGBTQ+ populace, city officials have been illuminating government buildings in rainbow hues as a sign of protest since the legislature forwarded the bill to the governor.
Andrew Wittenberg, speaking for the office of Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, noted that city attorneys are currently reviewing the law, with no clear course of action yet determined once it comes into effect.
The bill’s Republican proponents, Rep. Trevor Lee and Sen. Dan McCay, claim its purpose is to ensure “political neutrality” among teachers and government employees. Critics, however, argue that it seeks to diminish LGBTQ+ representation and strip cities and towns of their autonomy, particularly those at odds with the Republican legislature.
Governor Cox, in a message to legislative leaders, stated his support for the bill’s “underlying intent” of maintaining political neutrality in schools but criticized its extended reach over local governance. He pointed out that while the law is flag-specific, it does not restrict other political symbols like posters or lighting displays.
Addressing the LGBTQ+ community, Cox acknowledged the challenges posed by the legislation and expressed his personal appreciation, stating, “Politics can sometimes be adversarial, but I want you to know that I value and respect you as an integral part of our state.”
The timing of this decision coincided with the Sundance Film Festival’s announcement of its relocation from Park City, Utah, to Boulder, Colorado, after forty years. While there were concerns the state’s politics, including the flag bill, might lead to the festival’s departure, organizers clarified that their decision was unaffected by this legislative shift. They emphasized the importance of “ethos and equity values” in their criteria for choosing a new location, praising Boulder as a “welcoming environment.”
The legislation in Utah is considered more extensive than similar laws, such as the one recently enacted in Idaho, which is specific to schools. Idaho’s lawmakers are also pushing forward with a bill to restrict the flags presented in government establishments.
Florida’s legislators are contemplating similar restrictions on pride flags and other politically affiliated symbols in schools and public venues, following previous unsuccessful attempts. Meanwhile, certain federal institutions, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, have also implemented limitations on permissible flags at their sites.
In addition to the permitted flags, Utah’s law allows for the display of Olympic and Paralympic flags, official flags of colleges or universities, tribal flags, and historically significant versions of approved flags intended for educational purposes.