Cities Make New Official Juneteenth, Pride Flags to Thwart GOP
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Salt Lake City and Boise, Democratic-controlled cities in Utah and Idaho, have adopted new flags after Republican-controlled legislatures at the state level banned the rainbow pride flag and other unofficial flags from government property.
Newsweek has contacted the mayor's office for both cities for comment via email outside regular working hours.
Why It Matters
In recent years, Republican lawmakers have moved to restrict the display of unofficial flags, in particular LGBTQ+ pride flags. Upon President Donald Trump's return to office in January, the State Department implemented a "One Flag Policy," which mandated that only the American flag and two military flags could be displayed at U.S. Embassies and government buildings. The initiative and its response reflect a growing cultural divide in the U.S.
A pride flag hanging from the California Tower during the San Diego pride parade on July 20, 2024.
A pride flag hanging from the California Tower during the San Diego pride parade on July 20, 2024.What To Know
Earlier this year, Utah and Idaho passed legislation that banned non-sanctioned flags from government buildings.
In response, Salt Lake City has adopted new flag designs, while Boise has designated the traditional pride flag as official.
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall proposed adopting three new flags, which her office described in a news release as "celebrating human rights," and the city council unanimously approved the move.
The flags, which retain the sego lily featured in the current state flag, are the Sego Celebration Flag, representing Juneteenth; the Sego Belonging Flag, representing LGBTQIA people; and the Sego Visibility Flag, representing transgender people.
Utah law stipulates that any state or government building can be fined $500 a day for flying any flags that are not the U.S. flag, the state flag, a city or county flag, military flags, Olympic and Paralympic flags, official college flags or tribal flags.
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean adopted the pride flag as an official city flag.
Idaho's flag ban took effect on April 3, barring government officials from displaying any flags other than those on an approved short list, which includes the U.S. flag, flags of military branches and official flags of government entities. A separate ban containing some exemptions for school buildings is set to come into effect on July 1.
What People Are Saying
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said in a news release on May 6: "Our City flags are powerful symbols representing Salt Lake 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."
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean said in a news release on May 2: "The City of Boise will continue to fly the flags on City Hall Plaza that represent our community and speak to our values of caring for people and welcoming all. This resolution formalizes which flags are considered the official flags of our city."
What Happens Next
Legislative moves against certain flags may continue as other states consider bills that would prohibit the LGBTQ+ pride flag from being displayed in schools.
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