Bill to ban Pride flags in schools introduced by Rep. Trevor Lee

Ultra-conservative Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton, is once again setting his sights on Pride flags in classrooms with a new bill, HB77, that would sharply restrict the types of flags allowed to be displayed in public and charter schools. This marks the third attempt in less than a year to curtail the presence of symbols representing the LGBTQ+ community in educational spaces as Utah’s Republican-dominated legislature gears up for its 2025 session.

The bill, titled “Flag Display Amendments,” proposes a list of sanctioned flags, including the U.S. flag, Utah’s state flag, the POW/MIA flag, flags of Native American tribes, military flags, flags of foreign nations, and flags for Utah’s public colleges and universities. Additionally, flags that are part of an approved curriculum could be temporarily displayed in classrooms. Pride flags, however, would not be allowed under the proposed legislation.

The proposal also includes enforcement measures, granting parents the right to file lawsuits if a school or teacher fails to remove a non-sanctioned flag within 10 days of a formal complaint. “Parents could sue the school district if it’s violated,” Lee confirmed in a social media post.

This latest effort closely mirrors a controversial proposal introduced during the final hours of the 2024 legislative session by Sen. Dan McCay, R-Riverton. That earlier attempt sought to attach a Pride flag ban to unrelated legislation about public school employees under criminal investigation, bypassing typical legislative scrutiny. Ultimately, it failed amid concerns over process and content.

A Growing LGBTQ+ Presence

Recent surveys indicate that Utah’s LGBTQ+ youth are becoming increasingly visible. In a 2023 survey of Utah’s 8th, 10th, and 12th graders, approximately 10.8 percent identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, while 1.4 percent identified as transgender. Advocates say that symbols like Pride flags provide these students with a sense of safety and representation in environments that can often feel isolating.

“Visibility matters,” said one LGBTQ+ advocate. “When schools display Pride flags, they send a message of inclusion and support to LGBTQ+ students who may otherwise feel marginalized.”

Controversial Commentary

Lee’s involvement in the legislation has drawn scrutiny due to his history of inflammatory remarks about the LGBTQ+ community. During his 2022 campaign, Lee’s now-deleted social media posts included comments labeling Pride Month as “satanic” and memes suggesting that public school teachers indoctrinate children into changing their gender identities. One of his posts featured imagery associated with DezNat, a far-right faction of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which promotes traditionalist interpretations of family and gender roles.

When approached by reporters from The Salt Lake Tribune about his reasoning for introducing the bill, Lee deflected with personal attacks, calling one reporter a “race-baiting activist” and accusing the newspaper of being “communist scum.”

Mixed Legislative Prospects

While it remains unclear how much support Lee’s proposal will garner during the 2025 legislative session, the bill is expected to reignite debates over the intersection of free speech, parental rights, and the rights of LGBTQ+ students in public schools. Earlier attempts to limit the display of Pride flags faced significant opposition, with lawmakers citing concerns about vagueness and potential overreach.

“Efforts to ban Pride flags aren’t about neutrality,” said one Democratic legislator. “They’re about erasing LGBTQ+ visibility and sending a harmful message to queer students that their identities are unwelcome.”

Implications for Education

Under the proposed legislation, flags representing Utah’s public colleges and universities, such as the University of Utah, would still be allowed, while those for private institutions, like Brigham Young University, would not. The bill also permits the temporary display of curriculum-related flags. For example, a Confederate flag could potentially be displayed during a Civil War lesson, a point that critics say underscores the selective nature of the policy.

Opponents of the bill argue that it not only undermines LGBTQ+ inclusivity but also sets a troubling precedent for government overreach into classroom decisions. “This is a slippery slope,” said one teacher. “What’s to stop them from banning books or other educational materials next?”

A Broader Cultural Battle

The proposed Pride flag ban in Utah’s schools comes amid a national wave of legislation targeting LGBTQ+ rights, particularly in education. Across the country, similar efforts have sought to restrict discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in classrooms, limit access to affirming healthcare for transgender youth, and curtail the use of LGBTQ+ symbols in public spaces.

For Utah’s LGBTQ+ community, the stakes are high. “Every time we see legislation like this, it chips away at the progress we’ve made,” said one advocate. “But we’ll keep fighting to ensure that all students feel seen, safe, and supported.”

The 45-day legislative session begins January 21, and the future of Pride flags in Utah’s classrooms will undoubtedly be a focal point in the state’s ongoing cultural and political debates.