Utah made headlines as it became the first state in the nation to ban Pride flags from public schools and government buildings. Republican Governor Spencer Cox declined to sign HB77, a bill titled “Flag Display Amendments,” which prohibits the display of non-approved flags, including the Pride flag. The law allows fines of $500 per violation per day, though decisions are subject to judicial review. Governor Cox’s response to the bill aimed to placate both sides of the debate. He noted the irony that “no headline reads ‘MAGA flags banned from classrooms,’” but criticized the bill’s narrow focus on flags, stating it would fail to address broader concerns about classroom displays. In a direct message to Utah’s LGBTQ community, Cox acknowledged the pain recent legislation has caused, writing, “Politics can be a bit of a blood sport at times, and I know we have had our disagreements.
I want you to know that I love and appreciate you, and I am grateful that you are part of our state.” However, the fallout after this decision was swift. The Sundance Film Festival, a cherished Utah institution, announced it would leave its longtime home and move to neighboring Colorado in 2027. On social media, Equality Utah expressed deep sadness over Sundance’s departure, stating, “ This departure leaves a void in our State’s cultural soul, particularly for LGBTQ Utahns, who found our struggles and triumphs mirrored in the festival’s courageous storytelling.” For many, the loss of Sundance is more than economic—it’s a cultural and symbolic blow. The move echoes growing concerns that Utah’s increasingly restrictive legislation could drive away more inclusive and progressive voices.
