Utah Flag Display Bill's Sponsor Proposes Amendments After Controversy
The Facts
Utah Republican Rep. Trevor Lee on Thursday night proposed changes to House Bill 77, of which he is the chief sponsor, to allow the display of historic versions of the US and Utah flags on government property and of historic versions of other sanctioned flags that are part of the approved educational curriculum.
This comes as The Salt Lake Tribune said that Lee told a House Education Committee hearing that day that Nazi and Confederate flags would be included in the approved flags, as he stressed that teachers could display them in classrooms because the bill allowed the temporary display of historical flags for educational purposes.
Under Utah's HB 77, government entities or employees of government entities, including schools within the public education system, would be allowed to display official national and state flags, municipal, military, and Native American tribal flags, officially licensed university flags — including historic versions of all of them — and public school flags.
The Spin
Republican narrative
The ban on politically charged flags ensures ideological neutrality in public spaces and protects students from political messaging and religious discrimination in classrooms. The Star-Spangled Banner is the most inclusive flag in the world, and Americans must proudly fly it rather than flags that divide the nation.
Democratic narrative
The legislation represents government overreach and discriminates against marginalized communities. The expanded scope threatens free speech rights and creates a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ students and staff who rely on visible symbols of support and acceptance.