Idaho Governor Signs Bill Forcing Boise to Remove Pride Flag from City Hall

New law prohibits state and local governments from flying any flags other than the US, Idaho, or city flags

Mar. 31, 2026 at 6:38pm

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A serene, nostalgic painting of Boise City Hall, its facade illuminated by warm, golden light, with the colorful Pride flag flying prominently in the foreground, conveying a sense of civic pride and community belonging.The removal of Boise's Pride flag from City Hall marks a somber moment, as the city grapples with the state's assault on local values and the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.Boise Today

Idaho Governor Brad Little has signed HB 561 into law, a bill that prohibits state and local government agencies from flying any flags other than the US, Idaho, or city flags. The legislation effectively forces the City of Boise to remove the Pride flag that has flown in front of City Hall for over a decade. Boise Mayor Lauren McLean says the city will explore legal avenues but has decided to take down the flag to avoid financial penalties.

Why it matters

The new law is seen as a direct attack on LGBTQ+ rights and the ability of local governments to express support for marginalized communities. It has sparked outrage among Boise's city leadership and residents who view the Pride flag as a symbol of inclusion, not a political statement.

The details

HB 561 was passed by the Idaho legislature last year but did not include any enforcement language. The City of Boise continued to fly the Pride flag, and the city council even voted to make it an official city flag. The newly signed version of the bill provides for financial penalties if governments violate the flag restrictions.

  • HB 561 was signed into law by Governor Brad Little on March 31, 2026.
  • The City of Boise has flown the Pride flag in front of City Hall for over a decade.

The players

Governor Brad Little

The Republican governor of Idaho who signed HB 561 into law.

Mayor Lauren McLean

The Democratic mayor of Boise who says the city will explore legal options but will take down the Pride flag to avoid penalties.

Boise City Council

The city council voted to make the Pride flag an official city flag, in defiance of the previous version of the legislation.

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What they’re saying

“Today, Governor Little signed HB 561 into law—a bill written with one purpose in mind: to prevent Boise from expressing our values by flying our official Pride flag, something we have done with the support of our community for more than a decade. This law seeks to erase both the values we hold dear and people who are integral to the fabric of our community.”

— Mayor Lauren McLean

“The Pride flag is not a political statement. It is a symbol of heritage, welcome, and safety. We are taking it down because the law forces us to, but our commitment to every person who has looked at that flag and felt seen does not waver for a single moment.”

— Meredith Stead, City Council President

“Support for LGBTQ+ people does not begin or end with a flag. It lives in our communities, in our courage, and in our refusal to turn away from one another. We will stand openly, firmly, and without apology because love does not require permission from the state.”

— Kathy Corless, City Council Pro Tem

What’s next

The City of Boise is exploring all legal avenues to challenge the new law, but Mayor McLean says the city will take down the Pride flag to avoid financial penalties.

The takeaway

This law is seen as a direct attack on LGBTQ+ rights and the ability of local governments to express support for marginalized communities. It has sparked outrage in Boise, where the Pride flag has been a symbol of inclusion for over a decade, and raises broader questions about the balance of power between state and local governments.