New Idaho law forces Boise mayor to remove pride flag from gov building on trans day of visibility

Boise, Idaho Mayor Lauren McLean was forced to take down the pride flag being flown at City Hall on "trans day of visibility." The flag was taken down minutes after Idaho Governor Brad Little signed a bill that would fine cities for flying the flag as well as others that are not state approved on public property.  

“Despite the efforts taken by the Legislature, the values and spirit of the city won’t change — cannot be changed. Because the care that we have for our residents runs deep, and we will continue to fight to ensure that we’re a safe and welcoming city for everyone,” the mayor told reporters.

As the city was lowering the flag, McLean said to those gatherd around the flagpole, "This is a symbol of who we are and it's not political. It's not religious. It's not ideological. This is a flag that says clearly that we are a city that's safe and welcoming for everyone, and the steps that were taken to seek to erase who we are, who you are, to minimize the values of the city cannot and will not change who we are."

The group then sang, "Our Love for Each Other Will Carry Us Through," a protest song that stemmed from the Minnesota anti-ICE protests and riots that took place earlier this year and at the end of 2025.  

House Bill 561 prohibits the flying of flags other than the state flag, the US flag, official flags of other states, military flags, as well as a few others.  

"A governmental entity that fails to comply with the provisions of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of two thousand dollars ($2,000) per flag for each day such flag is displayed," the bill text adds.