"The law allegedly restricts any flags that 'represent a political party, race, sexual orientation, gender, or political ideology' from being flown on government property and public schools. However, the law has exceptions for the flying of the Confederate flag - a racist banner that shows support for owning Black slaves - as well as for the 'official' flags of 'any county, municipality, special district, or other political subdivision within the state.'"
"Councilmember Jennifer Savage said she introduced the resolution in consideration of her queer daughter, saying, 'When I see the pride flag I breathe a little sigh of relief and think my kid is safe here.'"
"The city's attorney Ryan Sudbury noted that the city had no other official flag before Monday and that the city can still approve other flags as official banners. Other cities have taken similar moves to circumvent their own state's Pride flag bans."
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and Republican legislators are responding to Missoula's decision to adopt the Pride flag as the city's official flag. The city council passed this resolution in response to House Bill 819, signed by Gianforte in May, which prohibits flags representing political parties, races, sexual orientations, genders, or political ideologies from flying on government property and schools. However, the law contains exceptions for Confederate flags and official flags of political subdivisions. By designating the Pride flag as Missoula's official city flag, the city legally circumvented the ban. The council voted 9-2 in favor, with members citing support for LGBTQ+ community members. Gianforte and the bill's sponsor now plan to amend the law to close this loophole.
Read at LGBTQ Nation
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