“World’s largest transgender flag” unfurled at Utah State Capitol for Trans Day of Visibility

During Saturday’s celebration of Transgender Day of Visibility, people in Utah gathered at the State Capitol to help unveil what a local group claims to be the “world’s largest transgender flag.”

As stated by the Utah Pride Center, this flag measures 200 feet in length and 30 feet in width. According to ‘ABC4’, in an Instagram video, which describes the flag as the largest of its kind globally, the organisation shared that it consists of 600 yards of fabric and 10,800 feet of thread, taking local seamstresses about five weeks to finish. “We are thrilled to unfurl what we believe to be the largest trans flag in the country, celebrating our community and creating a space of empowerment, visibility, and support,” expressed Chad Call, executive director of the Utah Pride Center.

The Utah Pride Center teamed up with The Glitter Foundation for Saturday’s activities, which included a rally at the Capitol, a march to Washington Square, and a “sharing circle” at Washington Square.

“Our partnership with the Utah Pride Center for TDoV reflects our shared mission to uplift and support the trans community, ensuring their voices, stories, and experiences are seen and celebrated,” stated Dallas Rivas, co-founder of the Glitter Foundation. “Together, we stand for visibility, inclusivity, and the right to live unapologetically.”

Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV), observed annually on March 31, was established in 2010 by transgender activist Rachel Crandall. According to GLAAD, Crandall initiated the day in response to reports of violence against trans individuals.

The events on Saturday occurred just two days after a controversial bill banning flags in schools and other “government property” was enacted without the governor’s endorsement.

“This year, Transgender Day of Visibility follows a particularly harmful legislative session in Utah, with several bills targeting our trans community—including the recent passage of HB 77, which bans pride flags on government property,” remarked Call.

Although H.B. 77 does not specifically mention which flags are prohibited in these spaces, opponents have vocally criticised the bill’s implications for the LGBTQ+ community. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Trevor Lee (R – West Jordan), previously posted on social media that the bill was intended to “ban Pride flags” from Utah schools.

In a letter to the legislature, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox explained that he neither vetoed nor signed H.B. 77 because he anticipated his veto would be overridden by lawmakers. “I continue to have serious concerns with this bill,” Cox wrote. “However, because a veto would be overridden, I have decided to allow the bill to go into law without my signature, and urge lawmakers to consider commonsense solutions that address the bill’s numerous flaws.”

Cox further mentioned in his letter that the bill’s sponsors did not proceed with a compromise deal “that would have removed problematic portions of the bill.” Following the bill’s passage, the Utah Pride Center expressed it was “deeply saddened” to see it become law.

Senate leaders had previously stated that the bill would not prevent people from carrying flags on certain properties (such as during the Pride Festival at Library Square) but would prohibit displaying these flags in or on specific buildings.

The bill’s language does not restrict flags such as those of the United States, Utah state, other countries, military, tribal, college, or Olympic flags, among others.