House Bill 77 in Utah, a pride flag ban that will prohibit LGBTQ+ pride flags from being shown in schools and government property, is now in effect.
Even more infuriating is the fact of an added clause in HB 77 that will allow schools to display Nazi and Confederate flags because schools shouldn’t “censor history.”
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However, some citizens are rightfully fighting back within the Republican-dominated state of Utah.
One elementary school teacher from Utah recently shared how he was able to circumvent a “Don’t Say Gay” ruling in 2001, which banned books with LGBTQ+ themes, and even prevented educators from opposing anti-LGBTQ+ bullying.
John Arthur wanted to wear a pin to show support for an LGBTQ+ student, but the laws prevented him from doing so; instead, he opted to carry a rainbow assortment of pens and highlighters in his breast pocket in the arrangement of the gay pride flag.
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Another method of protest is through this shirt, Project Rainbow is selling, all proceeds go to LGBTQ+ causes and programs in Utah. The shirt’s design parodies a state ordinance for bars and restaurants in Utah to differentiate the two.
Teachers, government workers, and students are being urged to wear them as a form of protest in schools and government buildings.
Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers in Utah are taking a page out of Boise’s playbook. The Idaho capital recently passed a resolution recognizing the pride flag as an official city flag in a genius way to circumvent their state’s own pride flag ban, allowing schools and government buildings in Boise to display the flag.
Now, Mayor Erin Mendenhall of Salt Lake City, Utah, is issuing a similar proclamation to designate the pride flag as an official flag of Salt Lake City in response to HB. 77.
“Our City flags are powerful symbols representing Salt Lake City’s values,” Mendenhall said in her official statement. “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.”
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