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Since June started, you’ve likely seen individuals, businesses and organizations post rainbow-colored graphics on social media with messages about pride and belonging.
Two Utah groups — the Utah Jazz and the Utah Mammoth — were among those groups.
Utah lawmaker Trevor Lee took issue with the posts and promised to push “significant legislation this next session that pushes back onto these woke groups.”
That promise prompted a conversation among Utahns — and one question from Tribune columnist Gordon Monson: “What the hell’s the matter with some people around here?”
“Yeah, I know these are sports teams, and some folks want local pro franchises scrubbed completely clean of any hint of social leanings or support,” Monson wrote. “But calling for love and inclusion for all, regardless of orientation, rightfully triggers and justifies these kinds of reactions how?”
The Tribune’s editorial board also had a question: “Since when has it been a conservative, Utah value that government has the power to tell individuals or private corporations what they may or may not say on social media?”
“Whether the messages are sincerely felt outreach or cynical corporate virtue-signaling,” the editorial board wrote, “a Happy Pride message should be no more controversial than a Happy Arbor Day posting.”
Readers also shared their perspectives on our social media pages and website:
“This new wave of threatening to take away funding because of [a] difference of opinion has got to stop.”
“A sports team that receives OUR tax dollars. Glad [Lee]’s being responsible and taking action.”
“As someone living in Salt Lake City and paying these taxes for the teams: Go ahead, Ryan Smith, keep putting out these graphics that hurt no one.”
“Pride is what we celebrate — not because it’s trendy or political, but because we made it. We’re the kids who grew up, despite the hate, the fear and the silence. And now we’re living full, beautiful lives with the joy and dignity we were always meant to have. That’s the gift — and no angry tweet or petty legislation can take it away.”
Since he promised to push back on pride posts, Lee has set his sights on another target, as well: Harvey Milk Boulevard in Salt Lake City.
Keep reading to share your own insight on what Pride Month — and local participation — means to you. And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram to join the conversation.
Utah Voices
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Mayor Erin Mendenhall proposes three new city flags during a meeting of the Salt Lake City Council on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
The following excerpts come from op-eds recently published in The Tribune.
Like DEI efforts, flags tell the truth about Utah values
“Flags don’t just flutter without purpose or intent,” writes Tamara N. Stevenson. “Their presence, placement and position signal significant moments to prompt reflection on what and who a nation chooses to remember or ignore.” Read more.
“If Utah’s congressional delegation wants to cede the moon to China, destroy American scientific leadership, increase wildfire risk and eliminate jobs in the Beehive State, then they’ll vote for Donald Trump’s proposed NASA budget,” writes Logan author Christopher Cokinos. Read more.
Utah’s safe street efforts face roadblocks
“While the law is complicated (and could have been much worse, as it was in earlier drafts), it basically stops the city from narrowing lanes, installing raised crosswalks or traffic circles, doing road diets where four lanes are reduced to three (one in each direction with a center turn lane), and other ‘highway reduction strategies.’” Read more.
Could pride flags save the Great Salt Lake?
“For those of us who care about the Great Salt Lake (and breathing air and having jobs and earning money), it’s a daunting future,” writes comedian Brian Higgins. “But maybe we can use the state’s righteous persecution of the dastardly ROYGBIV color scheme (a pursuit that may soon extend to private companies) to our advantage.” Read more.
How Utah’s GRIT initiative can make a real difference
“GRIT could be our state’s real opportunity to show the federal government and its would-be DOGE reformers the best ways to streamline buggy processes and address the pain the public often feels when attempting to access benefits and services to which they are entitled,” write four members of Utah’s Faith and Advocacy Coalition to End Hunger and Homelessness. Read more.
Share Your Perspective
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Jordan Knighton does the splits in the Pride Parade, on Sunday, June 8, 2025.
What does Pride Month mean to you? What kind of involvement do you want to see from local organizations? Let me know.
From Bagley’s Desk
This Was Their Place | 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.
