Latest news with #HB77
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Utah Pride Parade tries to present welcoming message
A large roar erupted from a crowd gathered along 100 South when members of an LGBTQ motorcycle club revved their engines, signaling the start of the 35th annual Utah Pride Parade. That enthusiasm carried for blocks Sunday as tens of thousands of spectators waved Pride flags and all sorts of rainbow-colored items toward the more than 100 organizations and businesses that made their way through the downtown Salt Lake City route. Some came with signs reading messages like 'Love First,' 'Everyone is welcome' and 'My existence is not political.' Many who came said they wanted to show their support during another complex time for the LGBTQ community. 'I think a lot of political things have happened recently, and I think more than ever it's important to support Pride,' said Autumn Krogh, who traveled from South Jordan to attend the downtown event with her 3-year-old pet pig, Cuzzie, which was wearing a rainbow-colored hat and bandana. Sunday's parade followed a series of other events this weekend, including a march to the state Capitol and an interfaith worship service. That's on top of a two-day festival that brought together members of the LGBTQ community and allies alike. While these types of events have taken place for decades, this year's events may have appeared to be more poignant. Some say new state and federal policies and decisions, such as this year's HB77, have left many in the community feeling targeted. HB77 became law last month, prohibiting governments and schools from flying Pride flags and other flags deemed political. Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton, the bill's sponsor, said the move was meant to maintain political neutrality in public spaces. 'What we're trying to do here is make sure that we have neutrality as it pertains to politics,' he explained as the bill was going through the legislative process earlier this year. Lee made headlines again last week after he said he would seek 'significant legislation' against 'woke groups' after the Utah Mammoth and Utah Jazz posted messages recognizing Pride month on the social platform X. Those comments didn't stop the Jazz and Mammoth from having a spot in Sunday's parade. Members of the Salt Lake City Council, a majority of whom identify as queer, were also among the groups that paraded down the street along with other city employees. Many waved the city's new 'Sego Belonging' flags, a Progress Pride flag with the city's sego lily logo on top that the city adopted as a new city flag last month, along with the other designs, to bypass the new state law. This year's parade is 'more important now than ever' because of the current political climate, said Elliott Ramirez, a member of Utah Pride Guard, which participated in the event. Natalie Wolff, who attended the parade, agrees. 'We need to be here and show, support and love, and not be scared to use our voices to make sure there are not going to be laws that are going to take away rights that they've all fought so hard for — that we've all fought so hard for,' she said. Seeing the large outpouring of support Sunday was 'magical' and helped reinforce why Salt Lake City has taken steps to support the LGBTQ community, added Salt Lake City Council Vice Chairman Alejandro Puy, who rode down the route with a Sego Belonging flag attached to the back of his new motorcycle. Puy added that he wished more state politicians would come to events like Sunday's parade to see what the events are like. 'There's a lot of discourse about what this means. Is it political? Is this to separate? Is this to discriminate? No. Nobody is discriminating here. Everyone is welcome,' he said. 'This is about everybody. This is about celebrating our differences.' Contributing: Andrew Adams
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Utah Pride Parade tries to present welcoming message
A large roar erupted from a crowd gathered along 100 South when members of an LGBTQ motorcycle club revved their engines, signaling the start of the 35th annual Utah Pride Parade. That enthusiasm carried for blocks Sunday as tens of thousands of spectators waved Pride flags and all sorts of rainbow-colored items toward the more than 100 organizations and businesses that made their way through the downtown Salt Lake City route. Some came with signs reading messages like 'Love First,' 'Everyone is welcome' and 'My existence is not political.' Many who came said they wanted to show their support during another complex time for the LGBTQ community. 'I think a lot of political things have happened recently, and I think more than ever it's important to support Pride,' said Autumn Krogh, who traveled from South Jordan to attend the downtown event with her 3-year-old pet pig, Cuzzie, which was wearing a rainbow-colored hat and bandana. Sunday's parade followed a series of other events this weekend, including a march to the state Capitol and an interfaith worship service. That's on top of a two-day festival that brought together members of the LGBTQ community and allies alike. While these types of events have taken place for decades, this year's events may have appeared to be more poignant. Some say new state and federal policies and decisions, such as this year's HB77, have left many in the community feeling targeted. HB77 became law last month, prohibiting governments and schools from flying Pride flags and other flags deemed political. Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton, the bill's sponsor, said the move was meant to maintain political neutrality in public spaces. 'What we're trying to do here is make sure that we have neutrality as it pertains to politics,' he explained as the bill was going through the legislative process earlier this year. Lee made headlines again last week after he said he would seek 'significant legislation' against 'woke groups' after the Utah Mammoth and Utah Jazz posted messages recognizing Pride month on the social platform X. Those comments didn't stop the Jazz and Mammoth from having a spot in Sunday's parade. Members of the Salt Lake City Council, a majority of whom identify as queer, were also among the groups that paraded down the street along with other city employees. Many waved the city's new 'Sego Belonging' flags, a Progress Pride flag with the city's sego lily logo on top that the city adopted as a new city flag last month, along with the other designs, to bypass the new state law. This year's parade is 'more important now than ever' because of the current political climate, said Elliott Ramirez, a member of Utah Pride Guard, which participated in the event. Natalie Wolff, who attended the parade, agrees. 'We need to be here and show, support and love, and not be scared to use our voices to make sure there are not going to be laws that are going to take away rights that they've all fought so hard for — that we've all fought so hard for,' she said. Seeing the large outpouring of support Sunday was 'magical' and helped reinforce why Salt Lake City has taken steps to support the LGBTQ community, added Salt Lake City Council Vice Chairman Alejandro Puy, who rode down the route with a Sego Belonging flag attached to the back of his new motorcycle. Puy added that he wished more state politicians would come to events like Sunday's parade to see what the events are like. 'There's a lot of discourse about what this means. Is it political? Is this to separate? Is this to discriminate? No. Nobody is discriminating here. Everyone is welcome,' he said. 'This is about everybody. This is about celebrating our differences.' Contributing: Andrew Adams
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man arrested after police say he threatened Salt Lake City mayor after city's flag change
A Farmington man was arrested Tuesday after police say he made online threats against Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and then showed up at Salt Lake City Hall after being questioned about it. Jason Guy Rogers, 44, was arrested for investigation of electronic communication harassment and stalking, per a jail report. He was booked into the Davis County Jail but has since been released, according to jail records. 'The mayor's office is monitoring the situation and appreciates the swift and professional investigation by the Salt Lake City and Farmington police departments,' Andrew Wittenberg, a spokesman for the Salt Lake City Mayor's Office, said in a statement to The investigation began shortly after May 6, when Mendenhall proposed three new city flag designs to bypass a new state law that directs which types of flags government entities can fly. The new flags use the sego lily from the primary city flag on new flags representing the LGBTQ communities and Juneteenth celebrations. Members of the Salt Lake City Council quickly adopted the measure, codifying the change on the eve of HB77 going into law, which would have otherwise barred the city from flying all three flags. Salt Lake City police began a 'coordinated investigation' with the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office, Farmington Police Department, Davis County District Attorney's Office and Statewide Information and Analysis Center after coming across 'alleged threats' made against Mendenhall, said Brent Weisberg, a spokesman for the Salt Lake City Police Department. The posts, which were first made on the social media platform X on May 9, were sent by an account traced back to Rogers, Farmington police wrote in an affidavit. 'When you see her and her family, end them immediately. Utah will rise up,' one of the posts read, along with a blood drop and a face with crossed-out eyes emojis. Other posts also referenced threats, police wrote in the report. While the mayor last posted on X in December, police said she still has 'direct access to see' messages on the account. The police report says a Farmington officer contacted Rogers on Tuesday, and Rogers said he 'did make comments about being upset over the changing of the flag proposal.' 'However, he denied making any comments that would indicate he threatened anybody. He told me he believed his account must have been 'hacked' when those specific comments were made,' the report states. An hour later, the account linked to Rogers responded 'time for action' to another post from the mayor's account, the report states. Farmington police said that they were informed a truck identified as Rogers' vehicle through a license plate-reader system had pulled up to the mayor's 'place of work.' The driver attempted to enter the building through its locked side doors before trying to enter through the main entrance. 'Security personnel made eye contact with (the man) from inside; (he) turned around and walked to his truck. He then drove from the area,' the report stated. The Salt Lake City Mayor's Office confirmed to that the man was spotted by Salt Lake City police and by city security staff, both of whom are stationed at the Salt Lake City-County Building. Officials said the incident occurred before the Salt Lake City Council convened Tuesday afternoon for meetings often attended by the mayor. Salt Lake City's Violent Criminal Apprehension Team located Rogers and arrested him shortly after, Weisberg said. He was transferred to Farmington police, who booked him into Davis County Jail. 'We're grateful to our officers, detectives, victim advocates and law enforcement partners for their support and collaboration as this case developed,' he said in a statement, adding that the incident remains under investigation. Wittenberg said the mayor's office will not release 'any additional information' about the case 'out of respect for the investigative and judicial processes.' It wasn't immediately clear if Rogers had obtained legal representation.
Int'l Business Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Red State Cities Troll Lawmakers by Adopting Official Rainbow Flags to Work Around Ban on Pride Flags
The capital cities of Idaho and Utah have approved new diversity-themed flags in a move to sidestep recently passed legislation banning the display of unofficial flags on government property. Salt Lake City's council voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt three new city flags: one styled after the rainbow Pride flag, one reflecting the pink, blue and white of the transgender flag, and another marking Juneteenth. All three designs include the city's signature sego lily, making them official and thereby legal under the state's new rules. "Our city flags are powerful symbols representing Salt Lake City's values," Mayor Erin Mendenhall said in a statement. "We value diversity, equity and inclusion... We are united as a city and people, moving forward together." Boise followed suit, officially designating both the Pride flag and a flag promoting organ donation as city flags. "This is our lawful expression of our dedication to ensuring all members of our community feel seen, respected, and welcome," Boise City Council President Colin Nash said in a statement. Utah's law, HB 77, bars public schools and government agencies from flying any flag not explicitly listed, which includes U.S., state and city flags, military and college flags, and a few other exceptions. Idaho passed a similar law earlier this year. Though LGBTQ+ flags aren't mentioned by name, the law's key backers openly admit their intent was to remove them. The Trump administration issued a similar directive in January, barring unapproved flags from federal buildings with its "One Flag Policy," part of a broader push to abandon DEI initiatives. Utah Republicans condemned the move, with State House Speaker Mike Schultz dismissing the new flags as "political theatrics," the Salt Lake Tribune reported. State Sen. Dan McCay mocked the city by posting photos of altered flag designs featuring a Trump MAGA logo and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' emblem. Under HB 77, cities can be fined $500 per day for displaying unapproved flags — but the new Salt Lake and Boise flags now fall under the law's narrow definition of permissible city flags. Originally published on Latin Times
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Salt Lake City adopts 3 new flags to bypass new state flag law
Leaders of Utah's capital city voted to add three new city flags, all incorporating designs not allowed through a new state flag law, to sidestep the measure hours before it goes into law. Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall unveiled three new city flag designs to members of the Salt Lake City Council Tuesday evening, as she explained how the city plans to move forward in the wake of HB77 on the eve of the bill becoming law. The new flags would add the sego lily logo from Salt Lake City's city flag to the Juneteenth, Progress Pride and transgender flags. All three flags were not included in the list of flags approved to be flown outside of government or in schools. The new flags would not replace the city's primary flag, which was adopted in 2020. 'These city flags represent the ideas and principles Salt Lakers know as core tenets — belonging and acceptance, or better stated: Diversity. Equity. Inclusion,' she said, sitting next to all four flags in a Salt Lake City Council work session chamber. 'I have given this so much thought, and I do not do this lightly. My sincere intent is not to provoke or cause division; my intent is to represent our city's values and honor our dear, diverse residents who make up this beautiful city,' she added. 'Let the sego lily represent the beauty and resilience of everyone who lives here, no matter their race, ethnicity, gender, faith, income or sexual orientation.' Salt Lake City Council members voted Tuesday night to approve the last-second measure. All seven members shared turns explaining their vote after lining up to take a photo in front of the next flags earlier in the day. 'Today is an act of love ... for every member of our community,' said Councilwoman Sarah Young before the vote. HB77, which goes into law on Wednesday, lists which flags can be flown at schools and government buildings. U.S., Utah, county, municipal, tribal, military and Olympic flags are among the approved flags, while flags representing the LGBTQ communities and the Juneteenth flag — used to celebrate the holiday where the last slaves were freed after the Civil War — were not included. Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton, the bill's sponsor, said the measure is about maintaining political neutrality in public spaces. Those opposed, including Salt Lake City, argued that it targeted certain minority groups and might violate government free speech. The city has flown Juneteenth, Progress Pride and transgender flags outside of City Hall during specific days or months for years. HB77 became 'one of the most divisive bills' from the 2025 legislative session, as Gov. Spencer Cox put it. The governor ultimately declined to sign the bill but also allowed the bill to go into law, explaining in a letter that it passed with a veto-proof majority. 'I continue to have serious concerns with this bill. However, because a veto would be overridden, I have decided to allow the bill to go into law without my signature and urge lawmakers to consider common-sense solutions that address the bill's numerous flaws,' he wrote. Salt Lake City leaders raised a Pride Progress flag and lit the top of the Salt Lake City-County Building in rainbow colors on the final day of the legislative session. The flag was still flying as of Tuesday, ahead of the new law. Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall stands next to Salt Lake City's four new flags as she addresses reporters inside the Salt Lake City-County Building on Tuesday. | Carter Williams, Behind the scenes, city leaders were reviewing the bill to piece together their next steps. Conversations began days after the session ended, Salt Lake City Council Chairman Chris Wharton said. City officials came up with the idea to place the sego lily — a symbol of the primary city flag — on all three flags it once flew at some point in those discussions, turning them into city flags. 'We simply looked at HB77 and discovered there is, indeed, a way for cities to approve additional official flags,' Mendenhall said, noting there's nothing in statute barring a city from having more than one flag and that the state has four official flags. It's unclear what will happen next, but Lee caught wind of the city's move Tuesday evening. 'Does Salt Lake City really want to play these games? Good luck!' he posted on X. Sen. Dan McCay, R-Riverton, the bill's floor sponsor, posted a photo of a flag with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with a sego lily on X, along with the message: 'Excited that (the mayor) and (City Council) will also be flying this new SLC flag so that all historic constituents will be 'seen.'' Only two people spoke on the measure during the City Council Tuesday night, both speaking in support of the city. Mendenhall said she knows 'retribution' is possible, but she said the city wanted to 'stand up for our values.' She contends the measure helps the city stay in compliance with the law while still raising the flags it once did. Wharton agrees. 'These are the flags that have flown above City Hall and Washington Square for years and years, and we're just trying to find a way to make that continue,' he said. 'We're not trying to do anything particularly new or exciting.'
