<
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/us/salt-lake-city-boise-pride-flags.html>
"The capitals of Utah and Idaho adopted new official city flags on Tuesday in
response to state laws barring the display of any nonofficial flags at schools
and government buildings.
The state measures were seen by civil rights groups as efforts to prevent the
display of flags supporting L.G.B.T.Q. people. The City Council in Salt Lake
City approved three new flags: one with the rainbow colors of the Pride flag, a
second with the pink and blue of the transgender Pride flag and a third with a
symbol and date referring to the Juneteenth holiday that commemorates the end
of slavery. Each flag also includes the sego lily, a city symbol and Utah’s
state flower.
In Boise, the City Council designated the rainbow Pride flag and a flag
promoting organ donation as official city flags.
“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,” Lauren McLean, Boise’s mayor, said in a statement before the
resolution was adopted.
The Utah legislature passed a law in March banning the display of flags that
are not explicitly approved at public schools and government buildings. (Flags
allowed under the state law include the American flag, the state flag, city
flags, flags of other countries or states, and college and military flags.)
Gov. Spencer Cox of Utah, a Republican, allowed the measure to become law
without his signature, saying that he was concerned it was too sweeping but
that he recognized a veto would be overridden. The law did not explicitly
mention L.G.B.T.Q. or Pride flags, but sponsors of the bill indicated that
barring such flags was a major part of their motivation.
Earlier this year, Idaho also banned displaying unofficial flags at government
buildings.
Mayor Erin Mendenhall of Salt Lake City, a Democrat, said in a statement that
the new flags promoted unity. “I want all Salt Lakers to look up at these flags
and be reminded that we value diversity, equity and inclusion,” she said,
“leaving no doubt that we are united as a city and people, moving forward
together.”"
Via Doc Edward Morbius, who wrote "This is how you hack law. Well done."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
