Legislation to ban LGBTQ Pride flags introduced in Florida & Tennessee
Republican lawmakers in Florida and Tennessee have introduced measures that if passed, would ban the display of the LGBTQ Pride flag or other “political flags” from local and state government buildings and facilities.
Republican Rep. David Borrero, who represents Northwestern Miami-Dade County, introduced (HB 901) that would prohibit local governments and agencies from flying the LGBTQ pride flag or any other banner representing a “social or political position.” According to the bill’s language, “The government agency must remain neutral when representing political viewpoints in displaying or erecting a flag.” Florida Politics reported that as written, HB 901 would ban local governments, government agencies and public schools, colleges and universities from displaying any flag that represents a partisan, racial, sexual, gender or political viewpoint.
It also requires that in cases where the United States flag is flown near or alongside other flags, the U.S. flag must be in a “prominent position that is superior to any other” on display.
Borrero’s bill is similar to legislation he and Tampa Republican Sen. Jay Collins filed in February (SB 668). In Tennessee, state Rep.
