Pride Flags Officially Adopted by Salt Lake City and Boise

May 9, 2025
HANK ORSO

Pride Flags Officially Adopted by Salt Lake City and Boise

The other day yer boy Hank here posted about a "straight pride" event weekend hosted by a Boise bar owner, to take place on stages in front of the capitol building in Boise, ID. The event is scheduled to take place the third weekend in June, barring any, well, any number of variables that might cause it to actually not take place: underfunded, no interest, over-hyped, or just plain ridiculous. Well, it turns out that that event just might be held under the colorful, rainbow-tinted eye of the official Boise Pride Flag. Boise, as well as Salt Lake City, recently announced that, in response to state laws, they've adopted various Pride flags to be flown in official capacities on state and city properties.

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Both Idaho and Utah state legislatures had passed laws barring the flying in state properties and schools "unofficial" flags expressing what they felt to be political or social viewpoints. The American flag and those of other countries, state flags and those of other states, military flags, and school flags are deemed official.

In response, the cities of Boise and Salt Lake City deemed various Pride flags "official" through legislation, thereby skirting the state laws. As reported in the New York Times, Salt Lake City mayor said of the move “I want all Salt Lakers to look up at these flags and be reminded that we value diversity, equity and inclusion,” she said, “leaving no doubt that we are united as a city and people, moving forward together.”

The Salt Lake City city council adopted three flags: the traditional Rainbow Pride, the Trans Pride flag, and a flag recognizing Juneteenth. Each flag is emblazoned with the sego lily, a city symbol and Utah’s state flower. Boise adopted two flags: the Rainbow Pride flag and a flag promoting organ donation.

From the NYTimes: “'The City of Boise will continue to fly the flags on City Hall Plaza that represent our community and speak to our values of caring for people and welcoming all,' Lauren McLean, Boise’s mayor, said in a statement before the resolution was adopted."

The move in Utah received the not-at-all original and highly anticipated response. "Utah House speaker, Mike Schultz, a Republican, said in a statement to The Salt Lake Tribune: 'Salt Lake City’s move to bypass state law is a clear waste of time and taxpayer resources.' He added: 'Salt Lake City should focus on real issues, not political theatrics.'"

No word yet on the irony of his statement and the waste of taxpayer money regarding the passage of the bill that prompted the city council's move.