Current Events > Utah becomes first state to ban Pride flags from government buildings.

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/03/utah-bans-pride-flags-after-cowardly-governor-avoids-veto/

Utah has become the first state to ban Pride flags from all government buildings, including schools. Gov. Spencer Cox (R) let the law take effect without his signature, saying he had concerns about the legislation but knew the legislature had the numbers to override a veto, the Associated Press reported.

The law does not explicitly ban Pride flags but rather states that no flags can fly at government buildings other than the state flag, military flags, the American flag, tribal flags, and a few others. State and local government buildings will be fined $500 a day for violating the law, which takes effect May 7.

In a letter, Cox told state lawmakers he agreed with the concept that classrooms should be politically neutral but that the law was too extreme in its regulations of local governments.

To our LGBTQ community, I know that recent legislation has been difficult, Cox added. Politics can be a bit of a blood sport at times, and I know weve 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.

His letter also reportedly clarified that the law does not apply to other displays like posters or lights.

Trans activist Alejandra Caraballo called it cowardly that Cox let the bill take effect.

In protest of the ban, leaders in Utahs capital have lit the Salt Lake City and County Building in rainbow lights every night since the bill was sent to Cox.

Salt Lake City is known for its large LGBTQ+ population and was even ranked one of the queerest cities in America by Advocate in 2016. The tourism site Visit Salt Lake describes the city as an inclusive urban destination with tons of super gay stuff going on.

No matter how you identify, what you look like, or who you love, youre welcome here, the site adds. Were a peculiar bunch and well always be proud of that.

Earlier this month, hundreds of demonstrators unfurled a 200-foot rainbow banner in front of the Utah state capitol in Salt Lake City to protest the bill.

Supporters of the bill claim they want to refocus schools on education, but opponents say the law will reduce visible support of bullied and marginalized trans and queer students who have been recently targeted by Republican politicians and policies nationwide.

You will have to fire me before I take down my Pride flag, Utah teacher J. Ryan Waddoups recently wrote in a letter addressed to state Republicans. It serves as a symbol to our LGBTQ youth that they are loved, supported, and accepted unconditionally.

A Pride flag does not promote homosexuality any more than a U.S. flag promotes invading Greenland or taking over Canada. It simply lets them know that they need not be afraid when theyre in my room, he continued. And, I promote the same acceptance for all of my students unless their stance is hostile towards others

While its unclear how many other states or local governments have passed similar bills, the U.S. Departments of Defense, State, and Veterans Affairs have all recently issued directives forbidding the flying of Pride flags from government buildings, military installations, and foreign embassies.

Hey MAGAts,

So you can't put up lgbtq friendly symbols or flags on your office door even?

"We don't want support for you to be shown but we love you!!" is one hell of a stance.

Fucking evil cowards.

HylianFox posted...

Gov. Spencer Cox (R) let the law take effect without his signature, saying he had concerns about the legislation but knew the legislature had the numbers to override a veto,

Coward, collaborator, enemy.

Maybe I'm mistaken, but hasn't this governor actually tried to stand up for LGBTQ+ and openly been against ant legislation?

HylianFox posted...

"Politics can be a bit of a blood sport at times, and I know weve 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."

Those words are always gonna ring hollow as long as you have a (R) next to your name, but they'd feel a little less hollow if you'd bothered to veto the ban, even just symbolically.

"We love you people, we really do. But we have to show the feds that we are following their plan. You understand, right?"

Utah's been sneaky horrible for bigotry, homophobia, and transphobia for a while now. Everyone always talks about places like Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, and other confederate shitholes but Utah has been pushing really hard as well.

FolkenRawr posted...

Maybe I'm mistaken, but hasn't this governor actually tried to stand up for LGBTQ+ and openly been against anti- legislation?

I will say to his credit it does seem he has tried to veto trans sports bans in the past and was overridden. I'm honestly a little shocked he hasn't been primaried by a "real" Republican within his party given he seems to had some semblance of compassion, although he always seems to cave so maybe its just performative (i wouldn't understand why though since this has to make him look worse in his voters eyes).

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https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-politics-and-policy/utah-poised-first-state-pass-gender-affirming-care-ban-2023-rcna67941

I picked this snippet out of the article in particular:

Last year, Cox became the second Republican governor to veto a bill that bars transgender students from playing girls sports.

In an emotional letter about his veto, Cox cited research about the high risk of suicide among trans youths and additional research that has found that acceptance reduces the risk of suicide.

I dont understand what they are going through or why they feel the way they do. But I want them to live, he wrote. And all the research shows that even a little acceptance and connection can reduce suicidality significantly.

But Cox told local news station Fox 13 on Thursday, after the ban on gender-affirming care passed the House, that he did not plan to veto the bill. His office did not immediately return a request for additional comment.

So the government is going to fine itself?

ItsChristian posted...

Utah's been sneaky horrible for bigotry, homophobia, and transphobia for a while now. Everyone always talks about places like Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, and other confederate shitholes but Utah has been pushing really hard as well.

Sneaky? its a large part of the mormon religion
on the plus side, there seemed to be a decent turnout for the protests yesterday

It's really sad because SLC has a huge LGBTQIA+ community. There's around 150,000 people at the local Pride Parade every year.

BlueKat posted...

It's really sad because SLC has a huge LGBTQIA+ community. There's around 150,000 people at the local Pride Parade every year.

Unfortunately, the cynic in me believes that a good number of them are Log Cabin Republicans.