Utah becomes first US state to ban pride flags in schools, government buildings
Utah has become the first state in the US to prohibit flying LGBTQIA+ pride flags at schools and all government buildings after its Republican governor announced he was allowing a ban on unsanctioned flag displays to become law without his signature.
Govenor Spencer Cox said he choose not to reject the policy, despite his serious concerns with it, because his veto would likely be overridden by the Republican-controlled legislature.
Under the new flag ban beginning on May 7, any state or local government buildings in Utah flying any flag other than the United States flag, the Utah state flag, military flags or a short list of other flags approved by politicians will be fined $US500 ($795).
Political flags supporting a certain candidate or party, such as President Donald Trump’s signature ‘Make America Great Again’ flags, are also not allowed.
The new law could stoke conflict between the state and its largest city.
City buildings in Salt Lake City typically honour Pride Month each June by displaying flags that celebrate its large LGBTQIA+ population.
Local leaders have illuminated the Salt Lake City and County Building in rainbow lights to protest the flag ban each night since the legislature was sent to the governor.
Andrew Wittenberg, a spokesperson for Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s office, said their attorneys are evaluating the law and the capital city does not yet have information on what it will do once the law takes effect.
People march following a Pride rally at the Utah State Capitol in 2023. (AP: Rick Bowmer)
The bill’s Republican sponsors, Representative Trevor Lee and Senator Dan McCay, said it was meant to encourage “political neutrality” from teachers and other government employees.
Opponents argued it aims to erase LGBTQIA+ expression and take authority away from cities and towns that do not align politically with the Republican legislature.
Utah Governor says politics a ‘blood sport’
In a letter to legislative leaders explaining his decision, Mr Cox said he agreed with the “underlying intent” of the bill to make classrooms politically neutral but thought it went too far in regulating local governments.
He also noted that by focusing narrowly on flags, the law does not prevent other political displays such as posters or lighting.
“To our LGBTQ community, I know that recent legislation has been difficult,” Mr 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.”
He added that he meant these words “sincerely” though they may “ring hollow”.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) says it is currently tracking 10 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills in Utah outside of the flag bill.
Their website states that while not all the bills will become law, they “all cause harm for LGBTQIA+ people”.
Of the ten bills, four have passed Senate and House.
Bill comes hours after Sundance Film Festival move
Mr Cox’s decision came hours after the Sundance Film Festival announced it was leaving its home of four decades in Park City for Boulder, Colorado.
The flag bill created eleventh-hour tensions as some residents worried it would push the nation’s premier independent film festival out of state.
Festival leaders said state politics ultimately did not influence their move from conservative Utah to liberal Colorado.
They did, however, make “ethos and equity values” one of their criteria in a nationwide search for a new home and referred to Boulder in their announcement as a “welcoming environment.”
Utah’s flag bill goes further than one signed last week in Idaho that only applies to schools.
But Idaho Republicans are also advancing a separate bill to ban government buildings from displaying certain flags.
Florida politicians have advanced a proposal to ban pride flags and others that represent political viewpoints in schools and public buildings after similar measures failed in the past two legislative sessions.
Some federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, also have limited which flags can fly at their facilities.
Other flags permitted under the Utah law include Olympic and Paralympic flags, official college or university flags, tribal flags and historic versions of other approved flags that might be used for educational purposes.
AP
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