After the Republican governor declared he was letting a ban on unapproved flag displays become law without his signature, Utah became the first state to forbid flying LGBTQ+ pride flags at all government buildings and schools.
The news was made late Thursday night by Governor Spencer Cox, who stated that although he still has major issues about the program, he decided not to veto it since the Republican-controlled Legislature would probably override his decision.
State or municipal government facilities that display any flag other than the US flag, the Utah state flag, military flags, or a limited number of other flags authorized by lawmakers will be fined $500 per day beginning May 7.
It is prohibited to fly political flags that favor a particular party or candidate, such as the “Make America Great Again” flags that are emblematic of President Donald Trump.
Conflict between the state and its biggest city may intensify as a result of the new law. Every June, liberal Salt Lake City’s city buildings usually fly banners celebrating the city’s sizable LGBTQ+ community in observance of Pride Month.
Since the Legislature brought it to Cox’s desk, local leaders have protested the flag ban every night by lighting the Salt Lake City and County Building with rainbow lights.
According to Andrew Wittenberg, a spokesman for the office of Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, the capital city does not yet have information on what it will do after the law goes into effect, and its lawyers are now reviewing the legislation.
The goal of the law, according to its Republican supporters, Sen. Dan McCay and Rep. Trevor Lee, is to promote “political neutrality” among government workers, including teachers.
Its opponents said it seeks to eradicate LGBTQ+ expression and strip cities and towns that don’t share the Republican Legislature’s political views of their jurisdiction.
Cox explained his decision in a letter to congressional leaders, saying that while he supported the bill’s “underlying intent” to make classrooms politically neutral, he believed it went too far in controlling local governments.
Additionally, he pointed out that the rule does not prohibit other political displays like posters or illumination because it only addresses flags.
“To our LGBTQ community, I know that recent legislation has been difficult,” Cox stated. “Politics can be a bit of a blood sport at times and I know we’ve had our disagreements. I want you to know that I love and appreciate you and I am grateful that you are part of our state. I know these words may ring hollow to many of you, but please know that I mean them sincerely.”
Cox’s choice was made just hours after the Sundance Film Festival declared it was moving from Park City, Utah, where it had been for forty years, to Boulder, Colorado.
Some locals were concerned that the flag measure would force the country’s primary independent film festival out the state, which led to last-minute tensions. Festival organizers said that their decision to relocate from conservative Utah to liberal Colorado was ultimately unaffected by state politics.
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However, in their announcement, they described Boulder as a “welcoming environment” and included “ethos and equity values” as one of their criteria in a nationwide search for a new home.
Utah’s flag law is more comprehensive than the one that was signed in Idaho last week, which only applies to schools.
Republicans in Idaho, meanwhile, are also pushing a different law that would prohibit the flying of specific flags from government facilities.
Following the failure of similar proposals in the previous two legislative sessions, Florida lawmakers have advanced a proposal to prohibit pride flags and other symbols that express political opinions in public buildings and schools. The flags that can fly at the facilities of certain government agencies, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, are likewise restricted.
Olympic and Paralympic flags, official college or university flags, tribe flags, and vintage versions of other authorized flags that could be used for teaching are among the various flags that are allowed under Utah law.
This information has been sourced from AP News.
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