In an attempt to get around a new Utah rule that essentially forbade flying LGBTQ Pride and other flags at public buildings in the state, Salt Lake City adopted three new city flags on Tuesday.
The plan was brought to the City Council by Democrat Mayor Erin Mendenhall, and it was approved during Tuesday night’s meeting.
The city’s flag is incorporated into designs honouring transgender, LGBTQ, and Juneteenth rights.
Democratic leaders and civil rights organisations in the state were incensed when Utah became the first state to outlaw the flying of such flags at all public schools, colleges, and government facilities in March.
In Salt Lake City, a blue spot in socially and politically conservative Utah, that legislation forbids the display of unapproved flags and was widely construed to forbid flags honouring different communities.
Officials termed one of the proposed flags the Sego Visibility Flag to honour the city’s trans community, while the other, called the Sego Belonging Flag, is meant to honour the city’s LGBTQ citizens.
The Sego Celebration Flag, the third suggested flag, is meant to pay tribute to the city’s Black citizens and the heritage of the Juneteenth festival.
“Our City flags are powerful symbols representing Salt Lake City’s values,” Mendenhall stated on Tuesday night. “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.”
“Like other civic symbols, these flags reflect our shared humanity and the values that help everyone feel they belong — no matter their background, orientation or beliefs,” Salt Lake City Council Chair Chris Wharton added.
State or municipal government facilities that fly any flag other than the U.S. flag, the state flag, a military flag, or one of a small list of designated exempt flags will be fined $500 per day under the state law, which is set to go into effect on Wednesday.
These include Native American flags and the Olympic and Paralympic flags. Political flags were likewise forbidden by law.
Despite his reservations, Republican Governor Spencer Cox let the measure to go into force without his signature.
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Cox told lawmakers in a letter in March that he supported the bill’s “intent” to promote “political neutrality,” particularly in schools, but that it went too far in trying to control municipal government. Additionally, he noted that the bill ignored other kinds of political expression, such as posters, signs, and drawings, by focussing solely on flags.
To the “LGBTQ community,” he wrote in his letter, “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,” he continued, “but please know that I mean them sincerely.”
