Salt Lake City Gets 3 New Flags Amid Ban of LGBTQ Flags
People march following a Pride rally at the Utah State Capitol Friday, June 2, 2023, in Salt Lake City.
Rick Bowmer, File via Associated Press
Salt Lake City has adopted three new flags in an attempt to skirt around the city's ban on flying the LGBTQ+ flag and others at public state buildings.
On Tuesday, the Salt Lake City Council adopted the three new flags in a formal meeting. The three flags are versions of Salt Lake City's official flag featuring a sego lily. There is the Sego Celebration Flag, which represents Juneteenth; the Sego Belonging Flag, representing LGBTQIA residents; and the Sego Visibility Flag, for transgender residents.
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said the flags are 'powerful symbols representing' the city's values.
'I want all Salt Lakers to look up at these flags and be reminded that we value diversity, equity and inclusion—leaving no doubt that we are united as a city and people, moving forward together,' Mendenhall said in a news release.
Earlier this year, Utah banned LGBTQ flags from being displayed in public schools or government buildings. LGBTQ advocates called it 'government overreach at its worst' and said the law strips the right to support and affirm diverse communities.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) allowed the bill to go into law even though he had 'serious concerns' about it. In a letter addressed to Utah legislators, Cox wrote that the bill focuses too much on flags alone and does little to prevent other displays, like posters, signs, etc.
'To those legislators who supported this bill, I'm sure it will not fix what you are trying to fix,' Cox wrote in a letter.
Salt Lake City Council chair Chris Wharton praised the three new flags.
'Like other civic symbols, these flags reflect our shared humanity and the values that help everyone feel they belong—no matter their background, orientation or beliefs,' Wharton said in a statement. 'While the state has restricted which flags public buildings can fly, I'm glad we can still uphold our community's values within the law.'
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