Pride flags, Planned Parenthood target of Utah House committee

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah House committee voted to advance two bills Thursday that would ban pride flags and other political flags from being displayed in classrooms and prohibit Planned Parenthood from teaching health in schools.

Under HB77, sponsored by Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton, public schools and other government buildings would only be allowed to display flags listed in the bill, which include the U.S. flag, state flag, flags of Native American tribes, military flags, flags of other countries and flags for colleges and universities. It passed out of the House Education Committee in an 11-2 vote.

The committee also voted 12-2 to approve HB233, sponsored by Rep. Nicholeen Peck, R-Tooele, which prohibits elective abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood from providing health-related instruction or materials in public schools.

HB77: Flag ban

"The education system and our schools should be a place for children to learn, to not feel like they are being pushed or seen as agendas in one way or another as it pertains to political beliefs," Lee said. "Flags that are political shall not be displayed within schools."

If a parent complains about a nonsanctioned flag and a school board doesn't resolve the grievance within 10 days, the bill would give parents the right to sue the educator displaying the flag.

Lee noted that flags temporarily displayed as part of the school's approved curriculum would also be permitted.

"Such as World War II, Civil War — you may have a Nazi flag, you may have a confederate flag. So, you are allowed to display those flags for the purpose of those lesson plans," Lee said.

He added that the bill only pertains to flags, mentioning stickers, banners and pins as items that would be exempt from the law if the bill ultimately passes.

Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay, questioned if teachers hanging political flags, including pride flags, in schools is really happening.

"It's definitely happening," Lee said, adding that he's heard specific examples.

One bill supporter, Aaron Bullen, of Lehi, told lawmakers a large pride flag was placed in his children's school computer lab but was later taken down after complaints. He said the flag sends children a specific message about marriage and gender.

"This message conflicts with my family's religious beliefs," Bullen said. "It tells my son that his faith, his parents and his values are wrong. That is not neutrality. That is religious discrimination at a public institution."

"Classrooms really have become a political battleground, which negatively impacts children's learning environments," added Shannon Macinnes. "Classrooms should be neutral regarding politics, and the focus should be on approved school curriculum."

Opponents of the bill argued, among other things, that being a part of the LGBTQ+ community is not a political statement.

"Respectfully, the bill sponsor is mistaken. Pride flags are not political symbols. Pride flags represent acceptance and are used to support LGTBQ people by instilling a sense of inclusion and community," said Ellie Menlove, legislative and policy counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah. "Regardless of the intent of the bill, the practical effect will be the removal of acknowledgement and support for LGBTQ people in public spaces."

Some students said seeing pride flags in classrooms lets them know they're safe and supported, pointing out higher suicide rates among LGBTQ+ youth.

"This is not because they are inherently prone to commit suicide due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. It is because of how they are treated," said Millie Dworkin, a senior at the Salt Lake Center for Science Education. "If you pass this, you will have queer blood on your hands."

HB233: Health education in schools

Even before the House Education Committee began debating Peck's HB233 late Thursday, the Planned Parenthood Association of Utah criticized it.

"Let's be clear — this bill is a targeted attack on Planned Parenthood and has nothing to do with ensuring Utah students get the health information they need," Kathryn Boyd, the organization's president and CEO, said in a statement. "The real impact of this bill will be felt by the Utah parents and school districts – who consistently seek out our expert instruction – and who will no longer have the option to provide their kids and students with age-appropriate health education classes taught by our trained teachers."

Peck acknowledged there are few districts in the state that even utilize Planned Parenthood materials or volunteers in health education, but she argued elective abortion providers don't belong in the classroom and that they teach from a perspective that most parents wouldn't "subscribe to."

"We really do have a lot of other options within the state to choose from," Peck said. "And I don't think it's going to be very difficult for people to find other resources to provide that type of instruction for Utah's children."

Multiple representatives of Pro-Life Utah spoke in support of the bill.

"There's no compelling reason to have an abortion provider in our schools," said Mary Taylor, the group's president. "And there's every reason not to."

But Ashley Anderson, who serves on the Salt Lake City School Board, said HB233 would interfere with local control.

"All of the curriculum used by our district is publicly discussed and posted on district websites," Anderson said. "All human sexuality instruction requires parents to opt in and there is transparency every step of the way."

Both bills will now move to the full House of Representatives for a vote. The legislative session ends March 7.

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