In a bold stand against statewide bans in Idaho and Utah, the capital cities of Boise and Salt Lake City will continue flying Pride flags on city government buildings by officially designating them as city flags.
Both cities—governed by progressive Democratic mayors—have taken different but equally creative approaches to sidestep legislation that restricts the display of LGBTQ+ symbols on public buildings. Their efforts represent a strong rebuke to conservative state policies aimed at silencing or minimising LGBTQ+ visibility.
Salt Lake City: Four Official Flags Representing Inclusion
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall announced a proposal to expand the city’s official flags from one to four, a move that includes flags representing the city’s Black, LGBTQ+, and transgender communities. The original Sego Lily Flag will now be joined by:
- Sego Celebration Flag (Juneteenth and Black residents)
- Sego Belonging Flag (LGBTQ+ residents)
- Sego Visibility Flag (transgender residents)
“Our City flags are powerful symbols representing Salt Lake City’s values,” Mendenhall said in a press release.
“I want all Salt Lakers to be able to look up at these flags and be reminded that we value inclusion and acceptance, leaving no doubt that we are united as a city and people, moving forward together.”
The City Council unanimously adopted the new flags in response to Utah’s House Bill 77, which limits what kinds of flags can be flown on government property. By reclassifying these Pride-themed flags as official symbols of the city, Salt Lake City can legally fly them from its buildings.
Boise: Declaring the Pride Flag the City’s Own
In Boise, Idaho, the City Council opted for a more direct method. On Tuesday, the council officially adopted the Pride flag as an official city flag, countering Idaho’s statewide restriction on “non-sanctioned” flags being flown above government buildings.
“There are so many folks that live lives of quiet desperation, every single day in our community, who carry with them a secret,” said Boise City Council President Colin Nash during a heated meeting.
“I hope just once that the city of Boise’s flag, that someone will see that and know that they are not alone.”
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean also supported the move, which represents a direct challenge to the Republican-led state government’s Pride flag ban.
Awaiting State Response
It remains unclear how Idaho Governor Brad Little or Utah Governor Spencer Cox—both Republicans—will respond to these local government actions. However, LGBTQ+ advocates view these developments as a major symbolic and legal victory for inclusion and visibility, especially in traditionally conservative states.
