Salt Lake City Unveils Inclusive Flags As Utah Ban Takes Effect

Utah’s largest metropolis is trying to get astir nan state’s law banning unauthorized flags astatine authorities buildings. On Tuesday, May 6, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall raised a proposal to nan metropolis assembly to proceed displaying LGBTQ+, transgender and Juneteenth flags up of nan rule taking effect. 

“Our City flags are powerful symbols representing Salt Lake City’s values,” Mendenhall said successful a statement. “I want each Salt Lakers to look up astatine these flags and beryllium reminded that we worth diversity, equity and inclusion—leaving nary uncertainty that we are agreed arsenic a metropolis and people, moving guardant together.”

Utah authorities rule bans unauthorized flags astatine authorities properties 

A caller Utah rule restricts which flags tin beryllium flown connected nationalist property, only allowing for authorized flags specified arsenic nan American flag, nan authorities emblem aliases a city’s charismatic flag. House Bill 77, passed during nan 2025 legislative session, officially took effect May 7. Civil authorities groups said nan authorities targeted nan LGBTQ+ community.

Salt Lake City Council approves ordinance to ‘celebrate quality rights’ done flags 

In a vote, nan Salt Lake City Council adopted a caller emblem ordinance that blends nan city’s accepted sego lily emblem pinch designs meant to “celebrate quality rights.” The projected flags are nan Sego Celebration Flag, honoring Juneteenth and Black residents; nan Sego Belonging Flag, supporting nan LGBTQIA community; and nan Sego Visibility Flag, recognizing and celebrating transgender residents.

“Like different civic symbols, these flags bespeak our shared humanity and nan values that thief everyone consciousness they belong—no matter their background, predisposition aliases beliefs,” Salt Lake City Council Chair Chris Wharton said. “While nan authorities has restricted which flags nationalist buildings tin fly, I’m gladsome we tin still uphold our community’s values wrong nan law.”

Project Rainbow showed appreciation for nan metropolis assembly aft it passed nan ordinance.

“Being an state requires actions arsenic good arsenic words, truthful we salute Salt Lake City for showing up for LGBTQ+ Utahns,” Executive Director Jacey Thornton said.

The statement said they person passed retired thousands of flags since 2018 and person heard concerns from nan organization regarding nan law.

“We wish to reiterate to nan nationalist that HB 77 only applies to authorities spot and schools,” Project Rainbow said. 

Republican lawmaker says ordinance wastes payer dollars

Utah Republican House Speaker Mike Schultz told Fox 13 News, “Salt Lake City’s move to bypass authorities rule is simply a clear discarded of clip and payer resources. This rule is astir keeping authorities spaces neutral and welcoming to all. Salt Lake City should attraction connected existent issues, not governmental theatrics.” 

Utah politician disagrees pinch portions of nan law 

Republican Gov. Spencer Cox didn’t motion nan measure but allowed it to go law, saying he hopes lawmakers will refine it to beforehand governmental neutrality successful schools. In a letter pursuing nan bill’s transition successful March, Cox outlined which measures he supported aliases vetoed.

Regarding House Bill 77, he said, “I profoundly judge that our classrooms request to beryllium a spot wherever everyone feels invited — free from nan authorities that are fracturing our country. Parents are rightly upset erstwhile they bring their kids to publically funded schools and spot culture-war symbols successful a spot that should beryllium apolitical.”

Cox warned nan rule could adhd substance to nan fire, pushing group to find different ways to definitive governmental views. Speaking straight to nan LGBTQ+ community, he said, “I want you to cognize that I emotion and admit you and I americium grateful that you are portion of our state.”

Government buildings that break nan caller rule could look a $500 regular fine. Lawmakers made exceptions for Olympic, Paralympic and Native American flags, which are still allowed nether nan measure.