Montana bans Pride flags from schools and government buildings
Montana has banned Pride flags in schools and government buildings. (Wal/Getty Images)
Montana has banned Pride flags in schools and government buildings. (Wal/Getty Images)
Montana’s Republican governor Greg Gianforte has signed a bill into law that bans Pride flags from government property and public schools.
House Bill 819 restricts any flags that “represent a political party, race, sexual orientation, gender or political ideology”.
However, it permits the Stars and Stripes and the official state flag to be flown, as well as any that honour “law enforcement officers, military service members and public service organisations [that] provide appropriate, non-political recognition of their contributions to public safety and national defence”.
Republican state representative Braxton Mitchell, who sponsored the bill and is known for introducing a law banning drag shows – which remains blocked by a federal court – has defended the flag ban.
“Government buildings, schools and public facilities serve all citizens and should not be used to promote political, ideological or activist messaging,” Mitchell said.
Democrat brands bill contradictory
However, Democratic state representative Pete Elverum called the ban contradictory, saying: “As for the definition of ‘promoting a certain ideology,’ those [flags] are expressly prohibited, but at the exact same time [as] we’re sitting here with a bill proclaiming to be about free speech, we’re expressly prohibiting some and promoting others”.
Gianforte approved Mitchell’s drag ban two years ago. It set out to prevent performers who adopt “flamboyant”, or parodic male or female caricatures, reading books to children. But federal judge Brian Morris put a block on the law taking effect, saying it targeted free expression and free speech.
“No evidence before the court indicates that minors face any harm from drag-related events or other speech and expression critical of gender norms,” Morris wrote in his ruling.
In 2021, Gianforte signed a bill allowing people to challenge government regulations that interfere with their religious beliefs, effectively weaponising religion against LGBTQ+ people. In 2023, he signed Senate Bill 458 into law which defines “sex” as binary – excluding intersex, non-binary and trans people. He has also enacted a controversial ban on gender-affirming healthcare.
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