Utah has officially become the first state in the United States to implement a ban on flying the LGBTQ pride flag at schools and government buildings. This follows an announcement from Republican Governor Spencer Cox, who stated he would allow the legislation to become law without his signature, despite expressing concerns about the measure.

Effective May 7, state and local government entities will face penalties of $500 per day for displaying any flag outside a specific list that includes only the U.S. flag, the Utah state flag, military flags, and a few others approved by lawmakers. Political flags supporting specific candidates or parties are also prohibited. The new law could exacerbate tensions between the state government and its largest city, Salt Lake City, known for its liberal stance and vibrant LGBTQ+ community.

In response to the ban, city officials have been lighting the Salt Lake City and County Building in rainbow colors since the legislation was passed, demonstrating their opposition to the new law. Andrew Wittenberg, a spokesperson for Mayor Erin Mendenhall, noted that the city’s legal team is currently reviewing the implications of the law and determining future actions once it takes effect.

Governor Cox, while acknowledging the intent behind the bill to maintain political neutrality in educational environments, criticized the overreach in regulating local government displays. In a message directed to the LGBTQ community, Cox stated, “I know that recent legislation has been difficult... I want you to know that I love and appreciate you, and I am grateful that you are part of our state.”

This legislative move coincided with the Sundance Film Festival announcement about relocating from Park City, Utah, to Boulder, Colorado, after four decades, fueling speculation regarding the influence of state politics. Although festival organizers clarified that their decision wasn't solely influenced by the state's legislative climate, they did cite “ethos and equity values” as factors in selecting their new home.

The flag law enacted in Utah is more comprehensive than similar legislation recently pushed through in Idaho, which currently only applies to schools. Moreover, Republican lawmakers in Idaho are advancing a separate proposal to extend flag bans to government buildings. Similar measures are also being considered in Florida, where efforts to restrict flags representing political viewpoints have failed in previous legislative sessions. Additionally, some federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, have been reviewing their guidelines on flag displays.

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