A controversy about Boise displaying a pride flag at City Hall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flying a flag is a graphical form of speech. You would expect conservatives to want that speech to be free. But that’s not what the Idaho legislature did during this session. There is an article by Kyle Pfannenstiel at the Idaho Capital Sun on February 18, 2025 titled Idaho bill limiting types of flags state, local governments can display passes House.

 

Our legislature passed House Bill 96, which limited what flags government entities (the state, a county, municipality, special district or other political subdivision) can fly. The only flags allowed are: the United States flag, the official flag of a government entity, official flags of any U.S. state, the POW/MIA flag, and official flags of Indian tribes. Curiously these restrictions do not apply to schools, colleges, or universities.

 

There is another article by Greg Pruett at the Idaho Dispatch on April 13, 2025 titled Day 10: McLean Stands Firm Against Removal of LGBT flag. Besides the Dispatch he runs the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance (also see this Idaho Voters article).

 

Yet another article by Richard Rodriguez at KTVB7 on April 15, 2025 is titled Idaho Attorney General urges Boise Mayor to remove pride flag. He noted that:

 

“…during legislative debate that the bill appeared targeted specifically at Boise, as examples presented during hearings focused exclusively on pride flags displayed in the capital city….

 

Meanwhile, Bonners Ferry in northern Idaho continues to fly a Canadian flag outside its City Hall.”  

 

There is a press release by Raul Labrador on April 15, 2025 titled Attorney General Labrador Asks Boise Mayor to Comply with State Law. In it he noted:

 

“...Although there is no express criminal or civil penalty provided for in this statute, you should comply with the law out of a sense of duty to your oath of office. As Idaho’s Attorney General, I ask that you reconsider your defiance of this duly enacted law and remove all prohibited flags.”

 

A statute without a penalty really is quite silly.

 

An image of Boise flags came from here at Instagram.