Idaho said no Pride flags permitted. Boise said watch thishttps://www.advocate.com/politics/states/idaho-pride-flag-ban-defiance 🔗Jacob Ogles (8 April 2026)
Idaho barred government buildings from flying Pride flags. Now, officials in the state's capital city are turning to lights, pole wraps, and public signage instead.
Boise City Hall installed a sign this week featuring an 11-stripe rainbow with the message: "Creating a city for everyone." Local CBS affiliate KBOI reports that new colored accent lighting also illuminated the building in rainbow hues. Flagpoles, including ones that previously flew the Pride flag, are now wrapped in rainbow colors.
After the GOP-controlled Idaho legislature passed a law last year prohibiting cities from flying any flags not on a list sanctioned by state law, Boise responded by adopting the rainbow icon as its official city flag to sidestep the restriction. But the Legislature, which meets blocks from City Hall, tightened the law this year, imposing fines of $2,000 per day, per flag, for any banners not specifically permitted.
After Gov. Brad Little, a Republican, signed the legislation imposing fines, Boise Mayor Lauren McLean, a Democrat, posted a video saying that removing flags from flagpoles didn't change the city's attitudes toward inclusiveness.
"To our LGBTQ family, friends and neighbors, you are an essential part of Boise," she said. "You are welcome here. You are valued here, and no law can or will change that. In fact, it has only strengthened our resolve, because our values and our commitment run deep. We are and will remain a safe and welcoming city for everyone."
