Utah has banned LGBTQ pride flags in all public schools and on government property after Gov. Spencer Cox (R) allowed a bill banning the display of any unauthorized flags to become law without his signature.
The law, set to take effect May 7, will make Utah the first state to ban pride flags.
The governor requested a special session to address certain bills. But the flag bill effectively became law when the governor took no action by the midnight deadline Thursday night.
The bill was authored by state Rep. Trevor Lee, a Republican from Layton who has consistently stated that the legislation was created specifically to ban pride flags in educational institutions.
A subsequent version of the bill, which was approved by both the state House and Senate, broadened the ban to include all government properties.
In a letter to legislators late Thursday evening outlining his decision, Cox expressed “serious concerns” regarding H.B. 77 and recommended that lawmakers think about repealing the sections affecting government property.
But he said he would not veto the bill as he anticipated the Legislature would reverse his decision. Cox touts himself as a moderate willing to work across the aisle.
“As tired as Utahns are of politically divisive symbols, I think they are also tired of culture war bills that don’t solve the problems they intend to fix,” he wrote in the letter.
“In an attempt to make some kids feel more welcome, other kids feel less welcome,” the governor added.
The recent legislation may escalate tensions between the state and its biggest city. In liberal Salt Lake City, city buildings traditionally celebrate Pride Month every June by showing flags that represent the LGBTQ community.
Since the Legislature forwarded the flag ban to Cox, local officials have been lighting up the Salt Lake City and County Building in rainbow colors every night as a form of protest.
The Hill reached out to the Salt Lake City mayor’s office for comment.
