Pride Flag Ban Takes Effect, Salt Lake Responds With Woke Political Rebrand [WATCH]

The Salt Lake City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to adopt redesigned versions of LGBTQ and transgender Pride flags as official city flags, a move aimed at circumventing a new Utah state law that restricts the display of such flags on government property.

The ordinance, passed just one day before the law took effect on Wednesday, modifies the traditional LGBTQ and trans flags by adding Salt Lake City’s white sego lily logo.

This alteration reclassifies the flags as municipal symbols, allowing them to be flown legally under the new restrictions.

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“This is important and critical for us as a city, but more importantly, for the people that live here to know that Salt Lake City continues to be a safe space for everybody,” Councilman Darin Mano said following the council vote, according to the Washington Examiner.

The new state law, HB77, was introduced by Republican Rep. Trevor Lee and bans most non-governmental flags from being displayed by public schools and other government entities in Utah.

Flags supporting specific political causes or identities—including LGBTQ Pride flags, Black Lives Matter flags, and campaign banners for figures such as Donald Trump—are no longer permitted on taxpayer-funded properties.

Mayor @slcmayor says she’s not doing this to “sow division,” rather to represent the values of the city. @abc4utah pic.twitter.com/rrJ5r077KX

— Lindsay Aerts (@LindsayOnAir) May 7, 2025

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The law does allow certain exceptions, including flags representing the United States, the State of Utah, military branches, Native American tribes, and higher education institutions.

Entities found in violation of HB77 may face penalties of $500 per day.

In a statement on Tuesday, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall voiced support for the council’s decision, describing the flags as a reflection of the city’s values.

“Our City flags are powerful symbols representing Salt Lake City’s values,” Mendenhall said.

“I want all Salt Lakers to look up at these flags and be reminded that we value diversity, equity, and inclusion—leaving no doubt that we are united as a city and people, moving forward together.”

The move immediately drew criticism from Rep. Lee, who responded to the city’s decision in a post on X, writing, “Does Salt Lake really want to play these games? Good luck!”

Does Salt Lake City really want to play these games?

Good luck! https://t.co/kx3xBL2wlh

— Trevor Lee (@VoteTrevorLee) May 7, 2025

The city’s ordinance appears to be a strategic legal workaround, leveraging the exception in HB77 for official city flags.

By adding the city’s official logo to the Pride and trans flags, Salt Lake City effectively reclassifies them as symbols of municipal identity, rather than partisan or political expressions.

The new state law aligns with similar efforts under the Trump administration, which previously issued an executive order limiting the use of federal funds for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programming. Utah’s legislation builds on that approach by applying restrictions at the state and local levels.

It remains unclear whether the state will pursue enforcement action against Salt Lake City over the reclassified flags.

No lawsuits have been filed as of Wednesday, but observers anticipate potential legal disputes if state officials attempt to challenge the city’s ordinance.

Salt Lake City’s move highlights ongoing national tensions over the presence of ideological symbols in public institutions, particularly in the wake of legislative efforts across multiple states to limit the promotion of political or cultural messaging in schools and government buildings.

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