Rainbow-Washing: How Salt Lake City and Boise Circumvented State Flag Bans

In a bold display of political maneuvering, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Boise, Idaho, have reclassified Pride flags as official city emblems to sidestep recent state laws banning non-sanctioned flags on government property. This strategic move raises questions about the lengths to which local governments will go to assert their agendas, often in defiance of state authority.

Earlier this year, Utah and Idaho’s Republican-controlled legislatures passed bans on flying the rainbow pride flags and other “unofficial flags” on government property.

Leaders in both states’ capital cities, Salt Lake City and Boise, recently devised an inventive workaround – changing their official flags.

Salt Lake City’s mayor, Erin Mendenhall, proposed the adoption of three new city flags, which were unanimously approved by the city council. All three have the city’s traditional sego lily design, respectively imposed over a pride flag, a trans flag and a Juneteenth commemoration flag. – The Guardian

The Legislative Backdrop

Utah’s House Bill 77 and Idaho’s House Bill 96, both enacted in early 2025, restrict the display of flags on government buildings to a specific list, excluding symbols like the Pride flag. These laws aim to maintain political neutrality in public institutions.

Salt Lake City’s Tactical Redesign

Salt Lake City responded by adopting new city flags that incorporate elements of the LGBTQ+ and transgender Pride flags, as well as the Juneteenth flag, each overlaid with the city’s sego lily emblem. Mayor Erin Mendenhall stated that these designs reflect the city’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Here’s what Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said with a straight face after pushing through the progressive Pride flag as a city emblem:

“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.”

And more from the mayor, “Like other civic symbols, these flags reflect our shared humanity and the values that help everyone feel they belong—no matter their background, orientation or beliefs.“

Oh, spare me.

One Flag Fits All—No Add-Ons Required

We don’t need special flags to prove people matter. Inclusion doesn’t come from a rainbow banner fluttering over city hall. We already have a flag that represents everyone—it’s called Old Glory. The Stars and Stripes represent all Americans. No special symbols required. You are included the moment you exist in this country as a human being with rights—something this nation has defended with blood, sacrifice, and grit.

What Mayor Mendenhall is really saying here is: “We need a constant visual cue to prove how virtuous we are.” But is that really all this is? Or are we watching the slow replacement of our national identity—one city ordinance at a time?

When every government building starts flying something other than the American flag, the message is clear: the U.S. flag isn’t enough anymore. That’s not inclusion. That’s intentional erasure.

No, they haven’t yanked down the American flag—yet. But when cities start rewriting their own flags to push identity politics, it’s not hard to see where this road leads.

Virtue Signaling Isn’t Governance

This isn’t about visibility. It’s not about unity. It’s about virtue signaling, forced symbolism, and a public display of ideological compliance—all paid for by the taxpayer. If you need a flag to feel “seen,” maybe the real issue isn’t the country. Maybe it’s the fragility of the identity being propped up by political theater.

And inclusion? It doesn’t mean centering every government space around one group’s worldview. That’s not unity. That’s dominance wrapped in a rainbow.

Let me be blunt: the government’s job is not to affirm your feelings. It’s to protect your rights. Big difference.

Think about this: Marcus Lemonis, the CEO of Camping World, had to fight tooth and nail just to fly a large American flag over his own property—racking up fines and legal threats along the way. Meanwhile, cities like Salt Lake and Boise are out here changing their official city flags to incorporate Pride symbolism just to get around state bans. Flying Old Glory? That’s “too disruptive.” But rewriting civic emblems to push an agenda? Totally fine. If that doesn’t tell you where we are as a country, I don’t know what will.

So forgive me if I’m not moved by your rainbow flag crusade—some of us still salute the one that actually stands for everyone.

Boise’s Official Recognition

Similarly, Boise’s City Council voted 5-1 to designate the Pride flag as one of the city’s official flags. This decision followed a proclamation by Mayor Lauren McLean and was met with both support and criticism. Councilmember Luci Willits, the sole dissenting vote, expressed concerns about potential legal repercussions and the importance of adhering to state law.

The 5-1 vote makes the Pride Flag an official City of Boise flag.

Luci Willits was the lone ‘no’ vote on #Boise City Council Tuesday night. As part of her decision, she cited the potential toll on taxpayers if the issue were to wind up in court.#PrideFlag #Idaho pic.twitter.com/WadazlYW13

— Idaho News 6 (@IdahoNews6) May 8, 2025

Why Local Politics Matter More Than You Think

We should’ve seen this one coming. The second those state-level flag bans were signed, local officials were already brainstorming how to dodge them. Before the ink was even dry, Salt Lake City and Boise had a workaround ready to go: just rename the Pride flag an “official city flag” and boom—problem solved. Or so they think.

Moves like this show just how much power your local government really has. Mayors and city councils can reshape policy, sidestep state laws, and send a message that they’ll do what they want—no matter what voters at the state level decided.

This is why local elections and policies matter just as much—if not more—than what’s happening in Washington. Because while we’re all busy watching the circus at the federal level, these folks are pulling stunts in your own backyard.

🗽 Hold the Line Where You Live

So while Salt Lake City and Boise pat themselves on the back for their “brave” rebranding, the rest of us need to wake up. These aren’t harmless gestures—they’re calculated political plays dressed up in feel-good language. And they’re happening in city councils, school boards, and local commissions across the country. If you’re waiting for a national election to fix this, you’re already behind. The front lines of this fight aren’t in D.C.—they’re at your next city council meeting. Pay attention. Get loud.

🇺🇸 What Happened to Good Old American Patriotism?

It didn’t disappear—it was sidelined. Mocked. Rewritten. Replaced. While we were busy raising families, working jobs, and trusting the system, the system turned on us. Now, city councils wave identity flags while slapping fines on Americans for flying Old Glory. Schools apologize for the Pledge. The media rolls its eyes at the word “freedom.” But here’s the truth: American patriotism isn’t dead. It’s just been quiet. And it’s time to get loud again.

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