Salt Lake City and Boise take official Pride flags in response to the laws of state

The capitals of Utah and Idaho took over new official city flags on Tuesday in response to state laws that harden the display of non -official flags in schools and government buildings.

The state measures were seen by civil rights groups as efforts to prevent the display of flags that support LGBTQ 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 party 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.

In Boise, the city council has indicated the Rainbow Pride flag And a flag that promotes organ donation as official city flags.

“The city of Boise will continue to fly with the flags on the Plaza town hall that represent and speak of our community about our values ​​of care for people and welcome everything,” said Lauren McLean, mayor of Boise, in An explanation before the resolution was adopted.

The legislative power of Utah has adopted a law in March Display From flags that are not explicitly approved in public schools and government buildings. (Flags are allowed according to the State Act, the American flag, the state flag, city flags, flags of other countries or states and university and military flags.)

Government Spencer Cox of Utah, a Republican, allowed the measure To become a law Without his signature, saying that he was worried that it was too radical, but that he acknowledged that a veto would be lifted. The law did not explicitly mention LGBTQ of Pride flags, but sponsors of the account That limiting such flags was an important part of their motivation.

Earlier this year, Idaho Also prohibited Display unofficial flags in government buildings.

Mayor in Mendenhall from Salt Lake City, a Democrat, said in a statement That the new flags promoted unit. “I want all Salt Lakers to look up to these flags and be reminded that we appreciate diversity, fairness and inclusion,” she said, “without a doubt that we are united as a city and people, move forward together.”

In response to the Salt Lake City campaign on Tuesday, the speaker of the house in Utah, Mike Schultz, a Republican, said in a statement to the Salt Lake Tribune: “The relocation of Salt Lake City to circumvent the state law is a clear waste of time and taxpayer.”

He added: “Salt Lake City should concentrate on real problems, not on political theatrics.”

A Senator from the State, Daniel McCay, mocked the city’s action Post photos On social media of flags that, together with Sego Lily van Salt Lake City, showed a symbol of the Mormon Church, the design of the flag of Israel and the “Maga” slogan of President Trump.

A similar bill in Florida that flags would have extended a “political point of view” Can’t move forward During the recently concluded legislative session.