Utah’s Flag Ban Takes Effect Amid Controversy; Salt Lake City Prepares to Adopt Official Flags
Utah’s statewide prohibition on the display of unofficial flags, including the pride flag, in schools and government buildings is set to take effect Wednesday. In response, Salt Lake City is poised to adopt versions of the pride, transgender visibility, and Juneteenth flags as official city flags. Mayor Erin Mendenhall proposed this ordinance to align with the law while challenging its intent, stating the new flags would incorporate a sego lily, reflecting the city’s official symbol.
The move follows the introduction of HB77 by Rep. Trevor Lee, aimed primarily at eliminating pride flags from public spaces. The law will allow only a select few flags, including national and state flags, flags from Native American tribes, and others, raising concerns about its implications for representation.
While Gov. Spencer Cox refrained from vetoing the bill, he criticized its potential divisiveness and suggested that it did not address the need for neutral classroom environments. Public reaction to the legislation has been intense, with substantial discourse on its effects on local communities and educational settings. The adoption of these flags as official city representations indicates a significant pushback against the new law, underscoring ongoing debates over cultural symbols in Utah.
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