Boise Installs Rainbow Poles After Pride Flag Ban

City Council finds creative workaround to display LGBTQ colors on government property.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:05am

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A serene, realistic painting depicting the rainbow-colored flag poles in front of Boise City Hall, with the building's facade visible in the background and warm sunlight casting long shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of civic pride and community resilience.Boise's creative response to a state ban on Pride flags aims to keep LGBTQ representation visible in the city's civic spaces.Boise Today

In response to a new state law banning the display of Pride flags on government buildings, the Boise City Council has installed rainbow-colored poles and a welcoming banner in front of City Hall. The council designated the Pride flag as an 'official' city flag last year as a way to circumvent the initial ban, but state lawmakers then passed an even stricter law prohibiting the flying of any flags other than the U.S. flag, Idaho state flag, military flags, tribal flags, and the Basque flag.

Why it matters

The move by Boise's City Council highlights the ongoing tensions between LGBTQ rights and conservative legislation targeting the display of Pride symbols. While the new state law aimed to remove visible LGBTQ representation from government spaces, Boise found a creative way to continue celebrating diversity and inclusion.

The details

Just a week after taking down Pride flags to comply with the updated state ban, Boise's City Council installed a rainbow-themed banner in front of City Hall with the words 'Creating a city for everyone,' and wrapped its flag poles with LGBTQ colors. Mayor Lauren McLean stated that the law pertained to flags, and the city is now in full compliance.

  • In 2025, the Republican-led state legislature passed a law banning local government buildings from flying anything other than 'official' flags.
  • Last month, Idaho state lawmakers passed House Bill 561, which only allows the U.S. flag, the Idaho state flag, official military flags, recognized tribal flags and the Basque flag to be flown, with a $2,000/day fine for violations.
  • Just a week after taking down Pride flags to comply with the updated ban, Boise's City Council installed the rainbow-themed display.

The players

Boise City Council

The local governing body of Boise, Idaho, that responded to the state's Pride flag ban by installing a creative rainbow-themed display in front of City Hall.

Governor Brad Little

The Republican governor of Idaho who signed the legislation forcing the removal of Pride flags from government buildings.

Lauren McLean

The mayor of Boise who stated that the city is in full compliance with the new state law by installing the rainbow poles and banner instead of flying a Pride flag.

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What they’re saying

“Well, the law pertained to flags, and we are in full compliance with the law.”

— Lauren McLean, Mayor of Boise

What’s next

The Boise City Council's creative response to the Pride flag ban is likely to face further legal challenges from the state, as lawmakers may argue the rainbow poles and banner still violate the intent of the new law.

The takeaway

Boise's actions demonstrate how local governments can find innovative ways to continue supporting LGBTQ communities and values, even in the face of restrictive state legislation targeting the visible display of Pride symbols. This ongoing battle over the representation of diversity in public spaces reflects the larger political and cultural divides within Idaho.