Frequently Asked Questions

On June 2, 2025, the City Council approved a resolution to recognize the Pride flag as an official flag of the City of Missoula.  

• The designation is in response to Montana House Bill 819, which sets new rules for flags displayed on government property. 
• While making the Pride Flag an official city flag allows it to be lawfully displayed at city-owned facilities, the resolution did not include a directive to fly or display the flag immediately. There are no current plans to install or fly the flag at City Hall or other city properties. 
• The resolution clarifies that various versions of the Pride Flag may be used, reflecting the evolving nature of the symbol. 
• It also distinguishes between official government displays and personal decorations in employee workspaces, which the City believes are not considered official government displays within the meaning of HB 819. 

The Pride flag was adopted as Missoula's first official city flag on June 2, 2025, to affirm the City's commitment to inclusion and acceptance of all people. The council's decision was a response to Montana House Bill 819, which limits the flags that can be flown on government property unless a local government officially designates them as its official flag.  

While HB 819 permits certain flags (such as the Gadsden or Confederate flags), it excludes others—particularly those representing marginalized communities. The City believes the state’s content-based restrictions may violate the First Amendment. Nonetheless, by designating the Pride flag as an official flag, City Council ensured Missoula retains the legal ability to display this symbol of inclusion on equal footing with other recognized flags. 

Not at this time. The resolution did not include a directive to fly or display the flag immediately, and there are no current plans to install or fly the flag at City Hall or other city properties. City administration will work with City Council to thoughtfully consider whether, when, and how the flag should be displayed, including appropriate locations and infrastructure needs. Any decision on future display will be communicated transparently.

No. The City currently flies the flags of the United States and Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) and will continue to do so. These flags remain central to Missoula's civic identity and are displayed with respect and prominence. The Pride flag is now an official city flag. This means it can be legally recognized and displayed alongside other official flags when appropriate, but no one is required to fly it. 

The resolution formally recognizes the Pride flag as an official flag of the City of Missoula, and it allows—but does not require—its future display. The resolution does not mandate installation, flagpole construction, or permanent use. It is a symbolic act that reflects community values without prescribing specific operational steps. 

The division stems from Montana House Bill 819, which selectively allows certain flags to be flown on government property while excluding others based on the content of the flag (often based on political preference). The City Council's action was a response to that legislation, to protect individuals wanting to fly the Pride flag, not an attempt to create controversy.  

By adopting the Pride flag as an official city flag, Missoula ensures equal treatment of a widely recognized symbol of support for the LGBTQ+ community and reaffirms that Missoula stands for inclusion and community belonging for all residents. 

The City Council is exploring the possibility of developing a comprehensive flag policy that could be made available for community consideration at some point in the future. At this time, there is no established process in place for requesting the designation of additional official flags. If you have further questions or concerns, please visit our Public Comment page.