Dealing with anti-LGBTQIA+ hate in the US.
In Salt Lake City, the mayor – Erin Mendenhall – proposed adopting three new city flags, in addition to the traditional Sego Lily Flag, “most accurately reflect the values of the city and its residents”. These three city flags promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) that the administration of America’s convicted felon president, Donald Trump, has been continuously attacking and dismantling.
The three additional city flags celebrating human rights include:
- The Sego Celebration Flag, which represents the history of Juneteenth and the City’s Black and African American residents;
- The Sego Belonging Flag, representing the city’s LGBTQIA+ residents and “broader acceptance of this community”; and
- The Sego Visibility Flag, representing the city’s transgender residents and “a commitment to seeing and celebrating their lives”.
The Salt Lake City Council adopted the flags via ordinance so that the city now works “within the constraints of recent legislation while continuing to uphold Salt Lake City’s values”.
In March, Utah – where Salt Lake City is located – became the first US state to prohibit flying LGBTQIA+ Pride flags at schools and all government buildings after its Republican-controlled legislature passed a law (House Bill 77) to prohibit flying “unofficial flags” on government property.
From May 7, those who will violate the law will be fined $500 a day for flying any flag other than the US flag, the Utah state flag, military flags or a short list of others approved by lawmakers.
But the ordinance on the new flags show that the city’s people are united, said Mendenhall.
“Our city flags are powerful symbols representing Salt Lake City’s values,” said Mendenhall. “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.”
The city flags will fly alongside the US and State of Utah flags.
