Latest news with #SegoBelongingFlag
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Salt Lake City issues new Pride flag to get around Utah ban
The Salt Lake City Council has adopted three new Pride flags to circumvent Utah's ban on flying such flags at public schools, universities and government buildings. Council members approved the measure via ordinance during a formal meeting on Tuesday. The three new city flags include: The Sego Celebration Flag, representing Juneteenth, the Sego Belonging Flag, representing LGBT+ residents and the Sego Visibility Flag, representing transgender rights. The sego lily, the city's most recognized emblem, is in the upper corner of the designs. The flags were chosen because versions of them had already been displayed at City Hall. They'll fly alongside the Utah and American flags. 'Our City flags are powerful symbols representing Salt Lake City's values,' said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, a Democrat. '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.' The Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City. Lawmakers had passed legislation narrowing the types of flags that can be displayed on government property (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Earlier this year, Utah state lawmakers passed House Bill 77, legislation that narrowed the types of flags that can be displayed on government property, leading the council members to adopt the proposal. '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,' said Salt Lake City Council Chair Chris Wharton. '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.' In a statement on House Bill 77's passage, the American Civil Liberties Union said in opposition: 'This isn't about flags but about othering and erasing LGBTQ+ people from public life... Today, it's Pride flags. Tomorrow, it very well could be broader restrictions on speech, education, or expression for even more Utahns.' The state law was expected to go into effect Wednesday. If violated, officials can impose a $500 fine per day on state or local government buildings that fly unauthorized banners. Authorized flags include the state flag and military flag. There is a short list of exceptions.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
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.' Related...
