Boise and Salt Lake City Adopt Pride Flags as ‘Official’ City Flags
Defying Idaho and Utah laws, Boise and Salt Lake City adopted the LGBT Pride flag as official city flags. Currently, both states ban unofficial flags on government owned properties.
Unlike state and city flags, which represent all legal residents, Pride flags are inherently divisive; they honor a small group of people for no other reason than their sexual attractions, behaviors and identities.
Pride flags also are an affront to people of faith, who believe God’s creation of humanity in His image – male or female – and who believe in His good design for marriage between a husband and wife, which creates the best environment for raising children.
Governor Brad Little (Idaho) signed a law banning non-official flags on April 3, covering state, county, municipal and school properties. But Boise kept a Pride flag flying over the city hall ever since.
The Utah mandate became law March 27, without Governor Spencer Cox’s signature. Cox continued “to have serious concerns with the policy but chose not to reject it because his veto would likely be overridden by the Republican-controlled Legislature,” Associated Press reported.
The move was a coordinated effort by both cities’ mayors, with Boise Mayor Lauren McLean and Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall offering each other support, AP stated.
In a May 6 Boise City Council meeting, as reported by Fox News, McLean said:
On April 28 I signed an official proclamation that retroactively established three flags as official Boise flags: the blue flag, the one we love, with the monochrome image of the Capitol building and the words “Boise, City of Trees”; the rainbow flag, commonly referred to as the Pride flag, and the flag that represents and gives voice to the fact that we are a welcoming city; and a flag representing National Donate Life Month [promoting organ, eye and tissue donations].
One speaker said the Pride flag was related to “diversity, equity and inclusion,” which she called “right and just” and “fundamental to America,” representing “our values sewn in color and cloth.”
While Christians practice kindness and offer grace to all people, the Pride flag certainly doesn’t represent our moral and sexual values.
Mendenhall also pointed to “diversity,” explaining her decision to propose the measure to the city council,
“My sincere intent is not to provoke or cause division. My intent is to represent our city’s values and honor our dear diverse residents who make up this beautiful city and the legacy of pain and progress that they have endured.”
Both mayors don’t understand that Pride flags cause deep discord, promoting a sexualized, socio-political agenda. Idaho Representative Heather Scott, who sponsored the state bill banning non-official flags, explained the purpose behind it, saying “We don’t want government to be promoting division or political ideology or any social movements.”
Idaho’s law does not have an enforcement mechanism, while the Utah law can lead to fines of $500 a day for governmental entities that flout the law.
Related Articles and Resources
Countering The Cultural Confusion: Answering Frequently Asked Questions About Homosexuality
Five Things for Christians to Remember During ‘LGBT Pride Month’
Focus on the Family: Counseling Consultation and Referrals
Focus on the Family: Transgender Resources
Focus on the Family: Understanding Homosexuality
How the “Trans” and Gender Redefinition Issue Attacks the Family
Navigating ‘LGBT Pride Month’ – How Should Parents Respond?
There is No Pride in Denying Reality or the Image of God in Humanity
What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality? When Children Encounter ‘LGBT Pride’: Resources for Parents
