Pride flag ban ‘sends a harmful message,’ Utahns say in this week’s Inside Voices
Plus: How one Utah city is ‘growing the right way’
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Hundreds of people show up at the Utah State Capitol on Mar. 29, 2025 to fly the largest transgender pride flag in Utah. The unveiling of the flag is part of celebrations for Transgender Day of Visibility, hosted by local nonprofits Utah Pride Center and The Glitter Foundation.
Happy Saturday, and welcome to Inside Voices, a weekly newsletter that features a collection of ideas, perspectives and solutions from across Utah — without any of the vitriol or yelling that’s become all too common on other platforms. Subscribe here.
You might have seen the news that Utah is officially the first state to outlaw pride flags in government buildings and schools.
In a letter to lawmakers explaining his decision to let the bill become law without his signature, Gov. Spencer Cox wrote that he had “serious concerns” about HB77 and encouraged lawmakers to consider repealing its provisions that would apply to government property. He said he would not veto the bill because he expected the Legislature to override it, Addy Baird reported.
“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,” the governor wrote. Cox went on to say that despite his concerns, he supports the bill’s professed goal of making classrooms “neutral” spaces.
The news garnered national attention and hundreds of comments on The Tribune’s Instagram post announcing the news. Utahns from across the state shared their reactions, questions, frustration and support for the move.
“Ah excellent, the straw on the camel’s back for me — I’ll be pulling my kids from public school as soon as we’re back from spring break. Our kids are not safe in Utah schools, thanks for the clear message, politicians!”“Queer visibility saves lives. Banning Pride flags in schools and government spaces sends a harmful message to LGBTQ+ youth — that their identities are unwelcome or unsafe. Representation matters. Affirmation matters. Policies like this increase isolation and risk for already vulnerable communities. We must continue to show up for queer and trans youth in every way possible.”“This is such a great step, hopefully other states follow suit. Your little sexual identity flag doesn’t belong in government buildings or schools where our kids are trying to learn and grow up without being indoctrinated by the left.”“I worked extra shifts in the AIDS unit in SLC in 1986. There I learned to have empathy for the LGBTQ community. It’s sad to me almost 40 years later, this battle rages on! It’s also ridiculous to think a pride flag is going to make a kid gay. But it might make a kid feel safe.”“Might stop telling people I’m from Utah 😢”“None of this helps the average Utahn. They only people that this benefits are the ones who are constantly *obsessed* with who someone loves, where someone worships, or what genitals someone has in their pants. Let me be perfectly clear, these shameless politicians have real legislation to tackle: homelessness, our disappearing Great Salt Lake, our polluted air, our eroded public education, and the rising cost of living in a state that refuses to raise its wages to keep up. Rather than tackle the actual issues, that are hard and require thoughtful insight, they would take the easiest route and attack marginalized groups because they know that their hateful constituents will be appeased for a while longer while they continue to drag their feet on the real problems.”Tell me what you think: What kind of flags, if any, do you think should be displayed in classrooms? What about government buildings?
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Utah Voices
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Union supporters gather during a protest against HB267 at the Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.
The following excerpts come from op-eds recently published in The Tribune.
Acting locally
“I can’t do much about Donald Trump. Or Elon Musk. Or Robert Kennedy Jr.,” writes Holly Mullen. “But I can act locally. Local and state issues are granular. They are right in front of us. I have the power to make change. We all do. I signed the petition to allow HB267 to go before voters on the 2026 ballot. This is a chance for a bad law to get a fair process and a vote for and from the people.” Read more. Medicaid and foster care
“Children in foster care are some of the most vulnerable members of society — they are typically in state custody after long strings of adults have failed them, either on personal or systemic levels,” writes Taylor Boyd. “As an aspiring pediatrician and current Court Appointed Special Advocate, I’m trying to ensure that I’m not someone else in the long line of adults failing Utah’s vulnerable children. By advocating against cuts to federal and state Medicaid funding, you can be as well.” Read more. Education cuts
“As the parent of a 12-year-old child with a disability, I am deeply concerned about the ongoing discussions to dismantle the Department of Education,” writes Tom Sherlock, a hospice social worker. “The potential consequences of eliminating this institution, which provides essential oversight and funding, are significant. For my child and others with disabilities, the loss of this department would create a vacuum that could undo years of progress in education and services.” Read more. Growing cities
“I’m sure I’m not the only one who would like to see limitations on future growth, especially because of the scarcity of water in our desert climate,” writes Jeanette Rusk Sefcik. “I believe we are in the sweet spot of size, and I do hope we level off.” Read more. Sundance
“Like so many others, I loved seeing movies first, before they became part of pop culture history,” writes Brian Mac Intyre, a staffer at the Salt Lake Tribune from 1996 to 2005. “But I’ll confess that, over time, I hated how hard it became for film fans to watch them — at least in Park City. And yet I’m genuinely shocked to hear of Sundance’s move to Boulder, starting in 2027. That’s because I’ve had so many serendipitous moments at Sundance and fond memories of shared experiences with friends in Park City and Salt Lake City.” Read more. Share Your Perspective
(Doug Mills | The New York Times) President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, standing with his son X AE A-Xii, look at Tesla vehicles on the South Grounds of the White House in Washington, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
As President Donald Trump and Elon Musk make major changes and cuts to the federal government, I want to hear from you: What does government efficiency look like to you? What kind of changes — if any — would you like to see made? Let me know.
From Bagley’s Desk
Tuning Out is Not an Option | Pat Bagley
I’m always looking for unique perspectives, ideas and solutions that move our state forward. Learn more about our guidelines for an op-ed, guest essay, letter to the editor and more here, and drop me a note at voices@sltrib.com.