Officials in Boise and Salt Lake City recently unveiled new official flags in support of LGBTQ+ rights, circumventing state laws that restrict the display of pride flags and other “unofficial” flags. The laws, passed by Republican-led legislatures in both western states, effectively banned the display of pride flags on government properties.
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and city council members introduced three new city flags aimed at reflecting the values of the city and its residents. These flags include a rainbow pride flag, a flag commemorating Juneteenth, and a transgender visibility flag. In a similar move, the Boise City Council designated the rainbow pride flag as an official city flag to work around the new flag restrictions.
Mendenhall emphasized the importance of the city flags as symbols of diversity, equity, and inclusion, unifying Salt Lake City’s residents and moving forward together. Alongside the pride flags, Salt Lake City’s new flags also feature a “Celebration Flag” for Juneteenth and the Black and African American community, as well as a “Visibility Flag” for transgender residents. Boise also added a flag supporting organ donation to its official city flag collection.
These actions were taken in response to new state laws in Utah and Idaho, signed by Republican governors, which restrict the display of flags on public property to a select list of approved flags. The laws include exemptions for flags such as the American flag, state flag, city flags, and military flags.
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean expressed concerns about the division and conflicts created by the Idaho flag law, emphasizing the importance of flying flags that represent the community’s values. These decisions underscore the cities’ commitment to inclusivity and unity, despite the challenges posed by the state laws.
