Salt Lake City Finds Creative Solution to State's Pride Flag Ban
- A.R.
- May 8
- 3 min read
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall has taken a bold stand against Utah's restrictive flag law by adopting four new official city flags that represent the city's diverse residents. The move demonstrates exactly why visual symbols of inclusion, like the Our Values Are image, remain so important when public displays of acceptance are under attack.
In March 2024, Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed HB 406, which prohibits municipal governments from flying any flags other than the American flag, state flags, POW/MIA flags, and municipal flags on city poles¹. The law was widely seen as targeting Pride flags and other symbols of inclusion that many Utah cities had been displaying.
Rather than simply comply with the restriction, Salt Lake City chose innovation over capitulation. The city council voted to adopt three new official flags that celebrate the city's values of diversity and inclusion without explicitly violating the state mandate². These new flags feature designs representing different communities within Salt Lake City, effectively making them "municipal flags" that can be legally displayed.
"We're not going to be silenced, and we're not going to be intimidated," Mayor Mendenhall declared at the announcement³. The creative workaround sends a clear message that local communities will find ways to support and celebrate all residents, regardless of state-level restrictions.
This situation perfectly illustrates why the Our Values Are project exists. When powerful voices attempt to restrict or silence displays of equality, respect, and kindness, businesses and communities must find ways to make these values visible. Just as Salt Lake City worked within legal constraints to maintain its commitment to inclusion, businesses can display the Our Values Are image to show that all people are welcome and valued.
The Utah law reflects a broader pattern of legislation targeting LGBTQ+ rights and symbols of inclusion. According to the Human Rights Campaign, more than 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced in state legislatures in 2023 alone⁴. In this climate, visible displays of inclusive values become acts of resistance and solidarity.
Salt Lake City's approach demonstrates that creativity and determination can overcome attempts to force conformity. By officially adopting flags that represent their values, city leaders ensured that symbols of inclusion would continue to fly prominently, even under restrictive state law.
For small businesses watching this situation unfold, the lesson is clear: displaying your values isn't just about marketing—it's about taking a stand for the kind of community you want to help create. The Our Values Are image offers businesses a simple way to declare their commitment to dignity and respect for all people, regardless of who tries to silence these messages.
As Mayor Mendenhall concluded, "Love is love, no matter what the state Legislature tries to do"⁵. In times when inclusion is under attack, making our values visible becomes more important than ever.
Get the Our Values Are image → Display it on your website → Amplify your values!
References
¹ Associated Press. (2024, March 29). Utah governor signs bill limiting flags municipalities can fly. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/07/salt-lake-city-boise-pride-flags
² Salt Lake City Government. (2025, May 6). Salt Lake City adopts four flags to represent residents, visitors. https://www.slc.gov/mayor/2025/05/06/salt-lake-city-adopts-four-flags-to-represent-residents-visitors/
³ Axelson, J. (2024, May 7). Salt Lake mayor adds new city flags after state bans pride, other flags. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/salt-lake-mayor-new-city-flags-state-ban-pride-rcna205204
⁴ Human Rights Campaign. (2023). State Equality Index. https://www.hrc.org/resources/state-equality-index
⁵ Rascon, A. (2024, May 7). Salt Lake City adopts 3 new flags to bypass new state flag law. KSL. https://www.ksl.com/article/51308163/salt-lake-city-adopts-3-new-flags-to-bypass-new-state-flag-law-