Miami Standard (Salt Lake City, UT) – 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 penalized $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.

Teachers and government workers are also forbidden from displaying any restricted flag in their offices or classrooms.

Conflict between the state and its biggest city may intensify as a result of the new law.

Liberal city buildings Every June, Salt Lake City celebrates Pride Month by flying flags honoring its sizable LGBTQ+ community.

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.

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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.

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.

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