LGBTQ+ groups unfurled a 60-metre-long trans flag in Utah to protest a law banning Pride flags in state schools and government buildings.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Salt Lake City outside the state Capitol on Sunday (30 March) to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility, as well as condemn the newly-passed law.
The landlocked Western state became the first in the US to prohibit LGBTQ+ Pride flags in schools and government buildings after Republican governor Spencer Cox announced on Thursday 928 March) he would approve a policy.
From 7 May, relevant buildings will be fined up to $500 (£386) a day for flying any flag other than the United States, Utah state, military or other shortlisted flags approved by lawmakers.
Governor Cox, who did not veto the bill despite objections to its rhetoric, said he was “deeply disappointed” that the bill did not “land in a better place.”
“I deeply believe that our classrooms need to be a place where everyone feels welcome – free from the politics that are fracturing our country,” he continued. “Parents are rightly upset when they bring their kids to publicly funded schools and see culture-war symbols in a place that should be apolitical.
“Unfortunately, this bill does not do that … To those legislators who supported this bill, I’m sure it will not fix what you are trying to fix.”
Retaliating to the new law, protestors, in an event organised by the Utah Pride Center and The Glitter Foundation, unfurled a 200-foot long and 30-foot wide trans flag along the front lawn of the State Capitol.
Chad Call, Utah Pride Center’s executive director, said to local news outlet KSLTV that the protest, which also celebrated Trans Day of Visibility, was vital to reassure trans people that “there are people there that support them.”
“Even though our governments may not be able to fly Pride flags or trans flags, we can,” Call said.
September McKinnon, one of the activists holding the flag, said that the protest is part of their goal to help trans people “feel like they aren’t alone, and that love wins.”
Another Trans Day of Visibility protest, held by Project Rainbow, is set to begin at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center in West Valley City on Monday (31 March) between 5-9:30 pm MDT.
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