As a member of Utah’s LGBTQIA+ community, I often find myself feeling like I have been living in a nightmare. House Bill 77, which bans pride flags from being displayed in government buildings, is a decision by Utah’s Legislature that feels like a failure.
Flags are meant to serve as a symbol to represent groups, show unity and solidarity, and provide expression for one’s beliefs, values or intentions. Pride flags serve this same purpose of representing the LGBTQIA+ community’s shared values of love, inclusion and resilience. For us, Pride flags are a symbol saying, “We exist. We matter. We belong.” Supporters of this ban argue it promotes fairness by removing all “nongovernmental” symbols to promote neutrality, but this policy is not about neutrality, it’s about erasure.
LGBTQIA+ individuals have always lived here in Utah and always will live here. LGBTQIA+ Utahns are public servants, taxpayers, neighbors and community leaders. We deserve to see ourselves reflected in the spaces we help build and support. Our public buildings should reflect the diversity of the people they serve. Pride flags shouldn’t divide. They simply state, “We see you. You matter. You belong.”
It’s frustrating to see our symbols of hope treated differently than the countless sports team flags and banners routinely displayed across government offices and schools. If fans can proudly fly the Utah Jazz, BYU, or University of Utah flags without controversy, why can’t LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies display a flag that simply says, “You belong”?
I have been deeply disturbed by the support of this passed legislation. I urge lawmakers to reconsider this harmful decision, and I invite readers to speak out in favor of inclusion, equity, and visibility for all and do what Utah should do best, love our neighbors.
Trevan Stevenson, Salt Lake City
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