Video: The pride flag flies at Salt Lake City Hall
The tradition marks the beginning of community pride festivities, according to the Utah Pride Center
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall hosts the annual raising of the pride flag at City Hall to kickstart a month of festivities for Utah Pride on Friday, May 30, 2025. It is especially notable this year given the state tried to stop the pride flag from flying over government grounds.
A pride flag flew high at Salt Lake City Hall on Friday evening — kicking off a week of Utah Pride activities and spurning efforts by the Utah Legislature to keep the rainbow banner from flying over government grounds.
People gathered at 6 p.m. to see the colors hoisted at City Hall. The wind caught the banner sporadically.
In an announcement of the event, the Utah Pride Center said the tradition was able to continue with Salt Lake City’s official version of the pride flag — officially the Sego Belonging Flag — that was adopted just hours before the state’s ban went into effect earlier in May.
“We at the Utah Pride Center are proud to amplify this moment and encourage our community and allies to show up, support and be seen,” the announcement said.
Mayor Erin Mendenhall and City Council member Chris Wharton were in attendance, along with Chad Call, the Utah Pride Center’s executive director.
The Utah Pride Festival is set to run June 7 and 8 at Washington Square Park and Library Square. The annual Utah Pride Parade will take place through downtown Salt Lake City on June 8.
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(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Chelsie Acosta takes a selfie with Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall during the annual raising of the pride flag at City Hall to kickstart a month of festivities for Utah Pride on Friday, May 30, 2025. It is especially notable this year given the state tried to stop the pride flag from flying over government grounds.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Chad Call, Executive Director of the Utah Pride Center, speaks during the annual raising of the pride flag at City Hall to kickstart a month of festivities for Utah Pride on Friday, May 30, 2025. It is especially notable this year given the state tried to stop the pride flag from flying over government grounds.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall hosts the annual raising of the pride flag at City Hall to kickstart a month of festivities for Utah Pride on Friday, May 30, 2025. It is especially notable this year given the state tried to stop the pride flag from flying over government grounds.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) People attend the annual raising of the pride flag at City Hall to kickstart a month of festivities for Utah Pride on Friday, May 30, 2025. It is especially notable this year given the state tried to stop the pride flag from flying over government grounds.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Salt Lake City council member Chris Wharton joins in the annual raising of the pride flag at City Hall to kickstart a month of festivities for Utah Pride on Friday, May 30, 2025. It is especially notable this year given the state tried to stop the pride flag from flying over government grounds.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall hosts the annual raising of the pride flag at City Hall to kickstart a month of festivities for Utah Pride on Friday, May 30, 2025. It is especially notable this year given the state tried to stop the pride flag from flying over government grounds.
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Brock Marchant is The Salt Lake Tribune's Cache Valley reporter. A native of the area, he focuses on how the community is balancing growth and development with preservation and its agricultural and historical roots.
Brock Marchant
Brock Marchant is The Salt Lake Tribune's Cache Valley reporter. A native of the area, he focuses on how the community is balancing growth and development with preservation and its agricultural and historical roots.