Day 10: McLean Stands Firm Against Removal of LGBT Flag
By Greg Pruett • April 13, 2025It has been ten days since Governor Brad Little signed HB 96, which prohibits the display of any flag other than a U.S., state, official city, or tribal flag on government property.
What’s Happening: When Little signed HB 96, the legislation contained a clause that brought the law into effect upon his signature. Despite the new law being signed, the LGBT flag came down momentarily before Mayor Lauren McLean’s administration put it back up again.
Conservatives are calling for Little or Attorney General Raul Labrador to step in and enforce the law. Some conservatives have called for citizens to remove the flag themselves.
Liberals are asking for McLean to keep the LGBT flag up and to defy the new state law. Some liberals have said they will go and protect the flag from being taken down.
Digging Deeper: McLean did an interview with Channel 6 news where she said the flag would stay as it has for the last ten years. She said during the interview:
“For nearly ten years, the city has been flying the pride flag, and we will continue to do so because we are a safe and welcoming city that values all comers. And just like we are using this month to signify our support for organ donors, we want to be clear that everybody in our community matters. We’re doing what we’ve always done in supporting our residents.”
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Idaho Dispatch has contacted Little and Labrador’s offices for comment and will update the article if either official responds.
Tags: Boise, Boise Mayor Lauren McLean, Brad Little, Flag, HB 96, LGBT, Raul Labrador
People need to stop supporting channel 6 news. They are clearly on one side.
The Boise mayor is not welcoming to everyone. I have never seen the Christian flag flown on government property, and over 80% of Idahoans identify as Christian!
A government building and city funds should never go towards promoting anyone’s sexual orientation or identity.No mayor should be promoting anything that has to do with anything sexual.
Religion has no place in government. Period. Also, just say that you think government shouldn’t promote any sexuality other than heterosexuality. It’s what you really mean, so say it with your whole chest, Heather.
Excuse me, but the foundation of govt was established in the Bible. It’s too bad that many do not acknowledge God who laid the foundation of truth to determine what is best for mankind. Otherwise, humans have gone with their own doctrine of self worship( what makes me feel good).
Can we please divide Idaho , north and south. The liberal monster has a hold on Boise.
people are clearly bothered by this. let this flag b a symbol of grift by the donor class that represents you.
After the Marine Corps and my graduate psychology degree, I became a psychological social worker in Chicago, Illinois. The current Pridr flag denizens were considered mentally ill
I concut.to this day.
Next year, the flag bills should be revised to include penalties for breaking the law.
In the meantime, let’s put it to the test: Someone, please hoist a “Don’t Tread on Me” flag above the Pride rainbow flag.
Let’s see whether what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Will the left be offended? Will they ask to have the flag taken down? Won’t that prove the point? No political statements. Just the flags allowed by H0096, listed below:
The United States flag;
The official flag of a governmental entity;
Official flags of any state in the United States;
Official flags of any of the military branches and units of the United States;
The POW/MIA flag as provided for in section 67-2303, Idaho Code;
Official flags of Indian tribes.
Official flags of countries other than the United States to commemorate special occasions; and
Official flags of Idaho colleges, universities, and public schools.
Anyone remember the recent flap about the horrifically putrid new designs submitted for the new Boise flag? And when there was a public outcry (and rightfully so) over the despicable design entries she suddenly discarded the whole idea?
And now, when the public outcry over her asinine flying of a flag that an insane minority follow is FAR beyond the other flag’s public resistance…she digs her heels in. Funny how that works.
Someone’s getting their palm greased behind the scenes, I say…
These comments prove Idaho needs more gay people moving here. Y’all see a rainbow flag and piss your little pants. There are LGBT+ people who call Idaho home, and they belong here as much as anyone else. if you don’t like, move to Russia. if tribal flags weren’t already included in the approved list, y’all would cry about those.
Carmen, it’s not about being unwelcome to LGBT+ people, it’s about not flying a flag that represents people’s sexual orientation.