A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE GILBERT BAKER FOUNDATION

Save the Rainbow Flag

More than 50 U.S. communities have banned the global symbol of LGBTQ+ equality. The Gilbert Baker Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union are fighting back.

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Save the Rainbow Flag at Stonewall National Monument

Latest News

September 7, 2026

NEW WIN – Worcester Public Schools, Massachusetts: Worcester School Committee rejects proposed flag restrictions and expands Pride recognition in schools. Read more here. The committee rejected a proposal that would have limited which flags could be displayed in...

June 22, 2026

BAN: Webster, New York – The Webster Town Board voted 3-2 to remove a recently raised LGBTQ Pride flag from Town Hall grounds and adopted a policy limiting flag displays on town property to government flags. Supporters of the removal cited government neutrality, while...

June 1, 2026

WINS: Pride Flag Can Fly at Stonewall After Trump Administration Reversal. Read more here. The foundation was key in winning the suit. Pride flag to fly again at Utica NY City Hall. Read more here. Boston University Pauses Pride Flag Removals After Backlash. Read...

Where Flag Bans Are Happening

The Gilbert Baker Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union are fighting back. We’re tracking more than 50 recent bans on this live map.

Learn the Facts

Writer Tim Murphy lays out in detail our fight to stop people from banning the rainbow flag. Read the Article

Long Valley, NJ

https://newjersey.news12.com/long-valley-middle-school-removes-lgbtq-rainbow-signs-from-school

Doyelstown, PA

https://13wham.com/news/nation-world/downright-cruel-pennsylvania-school-districts-pride-flag-ban-draws-statewide-backlash-central-bucks-cbsd-social-agenda-partisan-political-advocacy-lgbt-gay-transgender-trans

Salem, OR

| https://lavendermagazine.com/big-gay-news/oregon-school-board-drops-ban-on-gay-pride-and-other-symbols%ef%bf%bc/

McHenry County, IL

https://www.shawlocal.com/northwest-herald/2023/02/25/mchenry-county-can-fly-pride-vets-and-other-flags-at-government-sites-if-two-thirds-of-board-agrees/

Milton, MA

https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Milton-Town-Board-to-oppose-hoisting-of-pride-17198877.php

Kennewick, WA

| https://www.sgn.org/story.php?323374

Wilton Manors, FL

|https://www.local10.com/news/local/2023/03/03/commissioner-worries-about-florida-proposed-law-banning-lgbtq-pride-flag-from-flying-on-government-property/

Solvang, CA

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/opinion/editorials/article272816690.html

Washington, DC

https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/rep-marjorie-taylor-greene-backs-bill-would-ban-pride-flags-n1256796

Tallahassee, FL

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/republican-filed-bill-to-ban-pride-flags-fly-confederate-flag-in-goverment-buildings/ar-AA18Lr8z

Spring, Texas

https://time.com/6169876/exxon-ban-lgbtq-pride-flag/

Delano, CA

https://www.bakersfield.com/news/delano-will-no-longer-fly-the-pride-flag-at-city-hall/article_e45af604-c791-11ed-b100-8f2b772b0216.html

Holden, ME

https://www.wabi.tv/2023/04/07/concerns-arise-after-maine-school-district-votes-ban-most-flags/

Monroe, NC

https://13wham.com/news/nation-world/nc-school-board-silent-about-potential-pride-flag-ban-despite-parents-concerns-union-county-public-schools-monroe

Springfield, MO

Springfield, Missouri school district has asked its teachers to remove the rainbow flag from their classrooms.

Carlsbad, CA

Carlsbad, CA school district refuses to fly the rainbow flag. In response, students are now protesting.

redlands, ca

Redlands, CA. Already shored previously but here is a better link.

Arlington, VA

Republicans in the House of Representatives pushed through an amendment that would prevent the Department of Defense (DOD) from flying LGBTQ+ Pride flags and other forms of support for LGBTQ service members. Biden is expected to veto it. More

De Pere, WI

De Pere, WI has restricted the flags that can be flown outside of their schools; however, they are allowing teachers to fly whatever flags they want inside of their classrooms. So this is a semi-ban I suppose.

De Pere's school board approves revised flag policy

Hurricane, WV

Students at Hurrican High School in Hurricane, WV are speaking out after their school opted to ban the Rainbow Flag among others they deem "too political". In response, LGBTQ+ students are speaking out on how the presence in classrooms makes them feel safer.

‘Why can’t I feel safe?’ Students speak out against removal of pride flags at Hurricane High

Rio Rancho, NM

The principal of Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho, NM asked teachers to remove the Rainbow Flag and other pride-related items from their classrooms. Teachers from this school are against the decision, but the school claims they made this decision to be inclusive to all. Personally, I don't understand how conservatives think that argument makes sense.

Teacher fumes after NM school bans ‘Pride’ flags, other ‘political messages’

Roanoke, VA

Roanoke County School Board passes classroom display policy despite public opposition

Hamtramck, MI

Sunol, California

Sunol Glen School Board President Ryan Jergensen was recently granted a temporary restraining order against former school trustee Denise Kent Romo for alleging her posts on social media have rallied people to send him threatening messages

Sunol fallout continues: Board president files restraining order against former trustee

California school board president gets death threats after Pride flag ban

Another update for Sunol, California:

Sunol Glen school board meeting to discuss repealing the Pride flag ban

Sunol school board refuses to reverse Pride flag ban as tensions simmer

Enfield, CT

https://www.them.us/story/pride-flags-banned-on-town-property-enfield-connecticut

Sunbury, OH

Big Walnut school board passes resolution banning 'controversial' flags

Boonton, NJ

Boonton NJ enacts flag ban for Town Hall

Utica, NY

Residents speak out against city flag policy during Utica NY council meeting.

Alabama

Alabama Lawmakers Vote to Ban LGBTQ Pride Flags in School

Watertown, NY

Watertown bands public Flag Raisings.

Downey, CA

Downey Reverses Policy Flying Pride Flag

Woodstock, VA

Virginia's Shenandoah County School Board bans flag

https://www.whsv.com/2024/07/12/shendandoah-county-school-board-passes-flag-policy/

Chino, ca

Conservative Chino Valley Unified school board bans pride flags. More

Berwick, pa

New Berwick policy bans Pride flags in school, causes outrage among LGBTQ allies. More.

Frederick County, Va

School board in Frederick County, VA, bans flag in new classroom policy. More

Boise, ID

https://www.lmtribune.com/local-news/senate-approves-bill-limiting-flags-that-can-be-flown-at-government-buildings-19087116

Helena, MT

BAN: Montana HB819 restricts flags displayed on government property and public schools. Read More.

Johnston County, NC

Johnston County Public Schools Bans Rainbow Flag in Classrooms. Read more here.

Erie, CO

Erie, CO town council votes to stop flying the rainbow flag on town poles. Read more.

Spokane Valley, WA

Spokane Valley, WA city council votes to give mayor final say regarding what flags can be displayed publicly. Read more.

Stonewall Monument

Bans:

Pride flag removed at Stonewall. Read more.

Webster, NY

https://13wham.com/news/local/webster-town-board-approves-removal-of-pride-flag-from-town-hall

Centerville, UT

https://www.standard.net/news/2026/jun/09/rep-trevor-lee-responds-to-centerville-city-council-womans-challenge-of-flag-ban-law/

Cold Spring, NY

https://highlandscurrent.org/2022/08/12/policy-limits-official-flag-displays/

Stoughton, MA

https://www.queerty.com/massachusetts-school-bans-pride-flags-um-maintain-inclusivity-20220922

Monongalia County, WV

https://www.wlox.com/video/2022/09/28/morgantown-high-students-walkout-protest-pride-flag-banning/

Luzerne County, PA

https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-school-rainbow-flag-20220926-lra6hqzzjvca7l6eifg6kravuu-story.html

Gwinn, MI

https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/video/2022/09/27/gwinn-high-school-removes-gay-pride-flags/

Newberg, OR

Davis County, UT

https://www.thedailybeast.com/davis-school-district-in-utah-bans-displaying-politically-charged-blm-and-pride-flags

Anne Arundel County, MD

https://www.ncnewsonline.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-by-the-baltimore-sun-proposed-anne-arundel-flag-ban-a-sign-of-our-intolerant/article_44f0c644-2993-11ed-9594-6300b7487df2.html

Darien, CT

https://www.ctinsider.com/columnist/article/Dan-Haar-Gay-pride-flag-in-crosshairs-as-Darien-17386464.php

Logan, UT

https://cachevalleydaily.com/news/archive/2022/10/02/parents-students-and-teachers-address-pride-flag-debate-in-logan-school-district/

Perkasie, PA

https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennridge-teacher-advocacy-policy-pride-flags-20220929.html

Yamil County, OR

https://darik.news/oregon/oregon-judge-strikes-down-school-district-ban-on-pride-blm-flags-national-news/725383.html

Lake Central, IR

|https://www.chicagotribune.com/2022/10/20/students-parents-teachers-object-to-lake-central-hs-policy-banning-political-posters-gay-pride-flags-from-classrooms/

Smithtown, NY

https://cachevalleydaily.com/news/archive/2022/10/02/parents-students-and-teachers-address-pride-flag-debate-in-logan-school-district/

Wales, WI

https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/wisconsin-school-board-votes-favor-pride-flag-ban-88500573

Alabama

https://www.al.com/educationlab/2022/08/alabama-school-takes-down-pride-flags-block-lgbtq-bathroom-access-as-new-law-takes-effect.html

Kettle Moraine, WI

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2022/08/18/wisconsin-kettle-moraine-school-board-bans-pride-flags-pronouns/10356181002/

Bohemia, NY

https://bronx.news12.com/connetquot-residents-collect-over-1-000-signatures-to-push-for-reversal-of

Connetquot, NY

https://bronx.news12.com/connetquot-residents-collect-over-1-000-signatures-to-push-for-reversal-of

Miami, FL

https://www.cityandstatefl.com/policy/2022/12/pride-flags-miami-dade-schools-black-lives-matter-policy-classrooms/380735/

Stewartsville, NJ

https://www.lansingcitypulse.com/stories/five-local-school-boards-targeted-by-right-wing-group,32177

Southington, CT

https://www.ctinsider.com/hartford/article/Southington-council-effectively-bans-pride-flag-17130692.php

Delaware, OH

https://xtramagazine.com/power/this-u-s-city-wont-fly-rainbow-flags-during-pride-heres-why-other-towns-could-be-next-224195

Green Bay, WI

https://www.wbay.com/2022/08/24/green-bay-alders-again-pushing-flag-ban-policy-after-first-vote-june-failed/

Huntington Beach

. https://www.losangelesblade.com/2023/02/07/huntington-beach-could-ban-pride-flags-on-city-property/

Long Valley, NJ

https://newjersey.news12.com/long-valley-middle-school-removes-lgbtq-rainbow-signs-from-school

Doylestown, PA

Salem, OR

| https://lavendermagazine.com/big-gay-news/oregon-school-board-drops-ban-on-gay-pride-and-other-symbols%ef%bf%bc/

McHenry County, IL

https://www.shawlocal.com/northwest-herald/2023/02/25/mchenry-county-can-fly-pride-vets-and-other-flags-at-government-sites-if-two-thirds-of-board-agrees/

Milton, MA

https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Milton-Town-Board-to-oppose-hoisting-of-pride-17198877.php

Kennewick, WA

| https://www.sgn.org/story.php?323374

Wilton Manors, FL

|https://www.local10.com/news/local/2023/03/03/commissioner-worries-about-florida-proposed-law-banning-lgbtq-pride-flag-from-flying-on-government-property/

Solvang, CA

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/opinion/editorials/article272816690.html

Washington, DC

https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/rep-marjorie-taylor-greene-backs-bill-would-ban-pride-flags-n1256796

Tallahassee, FL

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/republican-filed-bill-to-ban-pride-flags-fly-confederate-flag-in-goverment-buildings/ar-AA18Lr8z

Spring, Texas

https://time.com/6169876/exxon-ban-lgbtq-pride-flag/

Delanco, CA

https://www.bakersfield.com/news/delano-will-no-longer-fly-the-pride-flag-at-city-hall/article_e45af604-c791-11ed-b100-8f2b772b0216.html

Monroe, NC

https://13wham.com/news/nation-world/nc-school-board-silent-about-potential-pride-flag-ban-despite-parents-concerns-union-county-public-schools-monroe

Bethel, ME

https://www.wabi.tv/2023/04/07/concerns-arise-after-maine-school-district-votes-ban-most-flags/

Springfield, MO

Springfield, Missouri school district has asked its teachers to remove the rainbow flag from their classrooms.

Carlsbad, CA

Carlsbad, CA school district refuses to fly the rainbow flag. In response, students are now protesting.

Redlands,, CA

Redlands, CA. Already shored previously but here is a better link.

Arlington, VA

De Pere, WI

De Pere’s school board approves revised flag policy

Hurricane, WV

Students at Hurrican High School in Hurricane, WV are speaking out after their school opted to ban the Rainbow Flag among others they deem “too political”. In response, LGBTQ+ students are speaking out on how the presence in classrooms makes them feel safer.

‘Why can’t I feel safe?’ Students speak out against removal of pride flags at Hurricane High

Rio Rancho, NM

The principal of Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho, NM asked teachers to remove the Rainbow Flag and other pride-related items from their classrooms. Teachers from this school are against the decision, but the school claims they made this decision to be inclusive to all. Personally, I don’t understand how conservatives think that argument makes sense.

Teacher fumes after NM school bans ‘Pride’ flags, other ‘political messages’

Roanoke, VA

Roanoke County School Board passes classroom display policy despite public opposition

Hamtramck, MI

Sunol, CA

Enfield, CT

https://www.them.us/story/pride-flags-banned-on-town-property-enfield-connecticut

Sunbury, OH

Big Walnut school board passes resolution banning ‘controversial’ flags

Boonton, NJ

Boonton NJ enacts flag ban for Town Hall

Utica, NY

Residents speak out against city flag policy during Utica NY council meeting

Alabma

Watertown, NY

Watertown bands public Flag Raisings.

Downey, NY

Downey Reverses Policy Flying Pride Flag

Woodstock, VA

Ban: Virginia’s Shenandoah County School Board bans flag

https://www.whsv.com/2024/07/12/shendandoah-county-school-board-passes-flag-policy/

Boise, ID

https://www.lmtribune.com/local-news/senate-approves-bill-limiting-flags-that-can-be-flown-at-government-buildings-19087116

Helena, MT

BAN: Montana HB819 restricts flags displayed on government property and public schools. Read More.

Johnston County, NC

Johnston County Public Schools Bans Rainbow Flag in Classrooms. Read more here.

Erie, CO

Erie, CO town council votes to stop flying the rainbow flag on town poles. Read more.

Spokane Valley, WA

Spokane Valley, WA city council votes to give mayor final say regarding what flags can be displayed publicly. Read more.

Stonewall Monument

Bans:

Pride flag removed at Stonewall. Read more.

Webster, NY

https://13wham.com/news/local/webster-town-board-approves-removal-of-pride-flag-from-town-hall

Centerville, UT

https://www.standard.net/news/2026/jun/09/rep-trevor-lee-responds-to-centerville-city-council-womans-challenge-of-flag-ban-law/

A Lifeline to Communities Under Fire

A dangerous new trend is emerging across America. More than 50 U.S. communities have banned the Rainbow Flag, the global symbol of LGBTQ+ equality.

“Save the Rainbow Flag” offers a dynamic toolkit to help push back against conservative groups trying to ban the flag including pro-active tactics like community hearings, contacting politicians, letters to your local newspaper, poster files, petitioning, and mobilizing neighbors. The toolkit’s centerpiece is a letter from the American Civil Liberties Union, citing laws that prove the illegality of banning the Rainbow Flag.

Success Stories

Learn How Others Have Fought Back and Won.

Join the Fight

Help us document local censorshion, equip organizers, and spread the word.

01

Notify Us of a Flag Ban

Include contact information for city officials, if possible.

02

Download the Toolkit

Step by Step Instructions for reaching local officials.

An official statment to use from the Gilbert Baker Foundation statement.
An open letter from the ACLU.
Logo and poster files for local resistance
Sample letters for local for local officials.

GET THE TOOLKIT

03

Send Articles and Links

We will spread the word through our network and share them on social media.

Protecting the Legacy.

In 1978, Gilbert Baker created the rainbow flag, one of the most recognized symbols in the world. Almost 50 years later, the Gilbert Baker Foundation is fighting to honor the flag’s history.

Learn More

The Original 8-Color Rainbow Flag | Gilbert Baker Foundation

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Gilbert Baker in 1975