Utah Pride Flag Ban Sparks Protest with Enormous Trans Flag

In response to Utah banning pride flags in schools and government buildings, LGBTQ+ activists protested by displaying an enormous trans flag in front of the Capitol.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox, announced that he would refuse to veto a ban that prohibits flying LGBTQ+ pride flags on all government buildings and schools. He claims to be “deeply disappointed” in the bill despite not vetoing it. Utah has become the first state to do this. Starting on May 7, affected buildings will be fined $500 a day for displaying flags that are not for the United States, Utah state, military, or other shortlisted flags approved by lawmakers. “Make America Great Again” flags and any other flag supporting a specific political candidate are also not allowed.

Republican sponsors of the flag ban Rep. Trevor Lee and Sen. Dan McCay say that the bill is meant to promote “political neutrality” for teachers and government employees. Cox said that he agreed with the idea that classrooms should be “free from the politics that are fracturing our country,” and that school is a place that should be “apolitical,” but did not believe that this bill would accomplish that goal.

The notion that classrooms should be free of politics is not only a naive idea but a harmful one, too. We learn in school about things like the revolution, the Civil Rights Movement, and slavery. These are all extremely political events that are essential to understand (even though many republicans would say these too should be removed from schools). And everything is political, even the choice to remain “neutral” or “apolitical.” Many people do not have the privilege of “staying out of politics” because they are affected by them every day. Marginalized people cannot just decide to not face oppression while they’re at work, or pick and choose when political choices affect them.

On March 30, thousands of protesters gathered outside the Capitol in Salt Lake City to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility and protest the decision made by Utah lawmakers. The event was organized by the Utah Pride Center and The Glitter Foundation. The protesters rallied in front of the Capitol, unfurled a 200-foot-long and 30-foot-wide trans flag, and then marched down State Street with it. Executive director of Utah Pride Center Chad Call says, “Even though our governments may not be able to fly Pride flags or trans flags, we can.” He said that the protest was to celebrate trans people and remind them that, “There are people there that support them.”

Photo by Brice Tucker on Instagram