Salt Lake City Bans LGBTQ Flags, Unveils 3 New Ones | EUROtoday

Salt Lake City has adopted three new flags in an try to skirt across the state’s ban on flying the LGBTQ+ flag and others at public state buildings.

On Tuesday, the Salt Lake City Council adopted the three new flags in a proper assembly. The three flags are variations of Salt Lake City’s official flag that includes a sego lily. There is the Sego Celebration Flag, which represents Juneteenth; the Sego Belonging Flag, representing LGBTQIA residents; and the Sego Visibility Flag, for transgender residents.

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall stated the flags are “powerful symbols representing” town’s values.

“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,” Mendenhall stated in a information launch.

Earlier this 12 months, Utah banned LGBTQ flags from being displayed in public faculties or authorities buildings. LGBTQ advocates known as it “government overreach at its worst” and stated the regulation strips the fitting to help and affirm various communities.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) allowed the invoice to enter regulation though he had “serious concerns” about it. In a letter addressed to Utah legislators, Cox wrote that the invoice focuses an excessive amount of on flags alone and does little to stop different shows, like posters, indicators, and so on.

“To those legislators who supported this bill, I’m sure it will not fix what you are trying to fix,” Cox wrote in a letter.

Salt Lake City Council chair Chris Wharton praised the three new flags.

“Like other civic symbols, these flags reflect our shared humanity and the values that help everyone feel they belong—no matter their background, orientation or beliefs,” Wharton stated in a press release. “While the state has restricted which flags public buildings can fly, I’m glad we can still uphold our community’s values within the law.”

CORRECTION: A earlier model of this story incorrectly acknowledged which authorities applied the flag ban.