U.S.A.: Montana GOP angered after city outsmarts their new statewide Pride flag ban

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and Republican state legislators are upset that Missoula has discovered a legal workaround for their prohibition on displaying Pride flags on government property: by officially declaring the rainbow flag as the city’s flag. Gianforte and the legislative sponsor of the ban are now vowing to amend the law to prevent the city from displaying the LGBTQ+ community flag, which they deem “divisive,” in the future.

According to KECI, the Missoula City Council passed a resolution on Monday declaring the Pride flag as the city’s sole official flag. City attorney Ryan Sudbury mentioned that prior to this, Missoula had no official flag and still retains the authority to approve other flags as official symbols. Other cities have also taken similar steps to bypass state bans on Pride flags.

As ‘LGBTQ Nation’ reports, Missoula’s move is a response to House Bill 819, signed into law by Gianforte on May 13. This legislation restricts flags representing any political party, race, sexual orientation, gender, or ideology from being flown on government property and in schools.

However, the law permits the Confederate flag, as well as “official” flags of any local government entities within the state, to be flown.

The resolution was approved by a 9-2 vote. Councilmember Jennifer Savage proposed the resolution considering her queer daughter, stating, “When I see the pride flag I breathe a little sigh of relief and think my kid is safe here.”

Upon learning of the city’s decision, Gianforte criticised the council for prioritising the “divisive” flag over addressing Missoula’s housing affordability issues, increased taxation, and city encampments.

“Missoulians deserve better, and fortunately, two council members voted against imposing this divisive, far-left agenda on their community,” Gianforte commented.

State Rep. Braxton Mitchell, who sponsored the ban, also condemned the city council, accusing them of “politicizing public property” and being disconnected from the values of most Montanans.

“Public property should represent everyone, not just the loudest political movements,” Mitchell said, arguing that the Pride flag, as a political symbol, shouldn’t replace a city’s identity.

He vowed, “If they try this, we will amend the law next session to ensure no city can designate a political symbol as their official flag. If they want to fly that flag, they can do it at home, not on taxpayer property.”

Both Utah and Idaho have enacted similar legislation banning Pride flags in government properties and schools, prompting Salt Lake City and Boise to recognise Pride flags as their official city flags to circumvent the bans.