Boise Officials Install Rainbow Wraps on Flagpoles to Comply with Idaho Pride Flag Ban

Boise city officials have installed rainbow-colored wraps on flagpoles at City Hall to display colors associated with the LGBTQ+ community. The wraps were placed directly on the flagpoles and do not qualify as flags under Idaho law, according to city representatives. This approach allows the city to express support for diversity while adhering to state restrictions.

In 2025, Utah enacted a law explicitly banning LGBTQ+ flags from government buildings and schools, becoming the first state to do so. Idaho followed with similar restrictions through House Bill 561, sponsored by Republican State Representative Ted Hill.

The bill was part of 31 flag-related measures introduced across 17 states that year, some of which prohibited certain symbols, including LGBTQ+ symbols, on public property.

The wraps were unveiled by Boise Mayor Lauren McLean and the City Council.

City officials stated that the displays comply with the new law because they are not flags. it's not at all a flag, so I would say we are in full compliance of the law. " — Boise City Council President Meredith Stead (Idaho News) The installation cost nearly $6,000, drawn from the city's existing operating budget, according to statements to Idaho News 6.

Newsweek has contacted representatives for Mayor McLean for additional comment.

Representative Ted Hill, who sponsored the bill to promote the American flag and foster unity, reviewed images of the display.

He stated that he would not pursue legislation to address the city's actions and described the mayor's decision as acceptable. Social media responses varied, with some users praising the move as a form of expression and others criticizing it as a misuse of public funds.

The 2025 State LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index identified Arkansas, South Carolina, and Louisiana as the least safe states for LGBTQ+ Americans, citing factors such as expanded religious exemptions and bans on updating gender markers on documents like driver's licenses.

In contrast, Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut ranked among the safest, due to measures including bans on conversion therapy, inclusive health care policies, and state leadership support. These developments highlight ongoing variations in state-level policies affecting LGBTQ+ communities.