In a defiant response to Utah’s HB77 bill banning Pride flags from government buildings and schools, protesters gathered at the state Capitol in Salt Lake City last Friday, unfurling a colossal 200-foot rainbow banner on the building’s steps. The bill, passed by the Republican-led legislature, is awaiting Governor Spencer Cox’s signature, which he is unlikely to veto.
Salt Lake City’s Mayor Erin Mendenhall joined the opposition, illuminating the City/County Building in rainbow colors as a statement of solidarity. Meanwhile, LGBTQ+ activists and allies argue that the bill is a direct attack on visibility and support for queer and trans youth. The American Civil Liberties Union of Utah condemned the legislation as an unconstitutional restriction on free expression, warning of its dangerous precedent.
One teacher, J. Ryan Waddoups, refused to comply, stating, “You’ll have to fire me before I take down my Pride flag.” Many others echoed his sentiment, seeing the flag as a symbol of safety and inclusion in a political climate increasingly hostile to LGBTQ+ rights.
While supporters of HB77 claim the bill aims to refocus schools on education by banning ‘non-sanctioned’ flags, critics argue that it will further isolate and endanger queer students, especially in a state where anti-LGBTQ+ policies are becoming alarmingly common.
With the fate of HB77 sealed, Utah’s queer community and allies are making one thing clear: no matter how many flags the government tries to take down, their fight for visibility and equality will only grow louder and more vibrant.
You may also like
-
Poland’s Supreme Administrative Court Recognises Same-Sex Marriages from Other EU Countries
A major step for LGBTQ+ rights in Eastern Europe: on Friday, Poland’s Supreme Administrative Court (NSA)
-
The Cruise 2027: Ready to Sail into Queer Paradise?
From July 15th to 24th, 2027, The Cruise is back on board the spectacular Celebrity Equinox for
-
Ten Years After the Brussels Attacks, a City – and Its Queer Community – Still Carry the Shock
Ten years after the 22 March 2016 bombings at Brussels Airport and Maelbeek metro station,
-
Brussels Pride: from Gay Pride to Belgian Pride to a city that owns its colors
In 30 years, Brussels has gone from a small “Gay Pride” marched by a few
-
“Out of step, outlawed”: être homosexuel·le au Sénégal en 2026
While Brussels is gearing up for another Pride season, LGBTQI+ people in Senegal are facing
