Utah law restricting pride flags brings free speech debate into focus

A Utah law banning the display of pride flags by publicly funded institutions and state employees is stoking controversy over whether the measure violates Constitutional free speech rights.

The law will take effect on May 7, following Republican state Rep. Trevor Lee’s push to pass HB 77, which bans the display of most flags by public school teachers and government entities. Under the Flag Display Amendments bill, flags celebrating the LGBT community are among those prohibited from public display on government property, or by public school personnel and other state employees acting within their duties.