Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Pride Flag topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Butte-Silver Bow votes to fly Pride flag after weeks of public comment and legal review
Summary
After more than two hours of public comment and debate over state law, the Butte-Silver Bow Council of Commissioners voted 11-1 on June 18 to authorize the Pride flag to be flown at the courthouse beginning the next day and to treat the request as approved for the remainder of June.
Butte-Silver Bow commissioners voted 11-1 on June 18 to authorize the Pride flag to be flown at the courthouse beginning the next day and to place the public request on file for the remainder of June.
The decision followed more than 150 minutes of public comment from residents, nonprofit leaders and business owners — most urging the council to continue a recent local practice of flying the flag in June — and an extended exchange among commissioners about the scope of a new state law known as House Bill 819 and a legal memo from the county attorney.
Supporters said flying the Pride flag signals safety and inclusion for LGBTQ+ residents and visitors, and many told personal stories of family members who felt unsafe in other places. "Flying the Pride flag tells us that we're safe," said Josie Fortune, a Butte resident who described two friends who left the state because of harassment. Heidi Doxey, identified in public comment as incoming president of the Butte Pride Foundation, told the council the flag is a historic symbol first adopted nationally in 1978 and that county attorney Matt Enruth had advised support for the local tradition.
Opponents warned of legal exposure and of opening requests for other flags. "This is not about discrimination," said Cindy Sanderson, a resident opposed to the flag. "I urge you to watch out for the future of our citizens against lawsuits." Several opponents referenced state action and argued official buildings should remain neutral.
Commission discussion centered on legal risk, local authority and precedent. Commissioner Morgan, who offered the motion to "concur and place on file" the Pride-flag request and to begin flying the flag immediately, said the council needed a clear local policy going forward because HB 819 had created uncertainty. County Attorney Matt Enruth had earlier produced a legal memorandum — included in the meeting packet — concluding that, under the facts he analyzed, the county could designate the Pride flag as an official flag for the month without violating the state statute; commissioners repeatedly referenced that memo during debate.
The motion carried 11-1; the clerk recorded the tally but did not enter individual roll-call votes on the public record. Commissioners asked county staff and the attorney to draft a formal policy or procedure for future flag requests so the county has a written process going forward.
The vote ends the immediate debate over this year's June display, but commissioners said they expect guidance, a written process and possible legal review later this year as the legislature and courts continue to interpret HB 819.
