BOISE, Idaho — As of today, the pride flag no longer flies above Boise City Hall.
The move comes after Governor Brad Little signed House Bill 561 into law, which imposes punitive measures on municipal governments that fly flags not on the state's approved list. Approved flags include the U.S. Flag, state flags, military flags, recognized tribal flags, and official city or County flags created prior to Jan. 1, 2023. The bill also permits the use of the Basque flag during the Jaialdi festival.
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Municipal governments that defy the law could be subject to fines of $2,000 per flag each day that the outlawed flag is displayed.
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"It needs to be what unites us, and political flags, ideological flags, and religious flags do not," bill sponsor Rep. Ted Hill said.
Mayor Lauren McLean and Boise City Council President Meredith Stead announced the Boise City Hall flag's removal via emailed statements.
Mayor McLean said the bill was written: "to prevent Boise from expressing our values by flying our official Pride flag, something we have done with the support of our community for more than a decade." She goes on to explain that since the taxpayer would shoulder any penalties, she will comply with the law and take down the flag.
"Because the law includes a substantial penalty – one that would ultimately fall on the taxpayers of Boise to shoulder—I decided to take down the city’s official Pride flag. But let me be clear: Boise’s values have not changed, and they are not defined by any single action taken at the Statehouse." Lauren McLean, Mayor of Boise
"We are reviewing all legal avenues and considering next steps," McLean said. "To our LGBTQ+ friends, family, and neighbors: you are an essential part of Boise. You are welcome here. You belong here. And no law can change that."
"We are taking it down because the law forces us to, but our commitment to every person who has looked at that flag and felt seen does not waver for a single moment," said Council President Stead.
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Dorothy Moon, Chairwoman of the Republican Party of Idaho, said that legislation enforcing the flag bill is important to statewide politics, particularly after McLean and Boise City Council previously found a loophole.
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Moon said HB 561 ensures that "everyone is truly welcome in our great cities—not just those who subscribe to a particular socio-political viewpoint."
Idaho News 6 has reached out to the Governor's Office for comment on the law and is awaiting a response.
