Pride flags again stolen from First Baptist Church
Jun 5, 2025, 3:00 PM
FILE: Cars drive by in front of the First Baptist Church in Salt Lake City on Thursday, March 6, 2025. The church reports that each year the Pride flags they display are stolen, and that the same has happened this year. (Tess Crowley/ Deseret News)
(Tess Crowley/ Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — First Baptist Church has a long history of being LGBTQIA+ friendly, even posting on their website that “First Baptist Church is a welcoming and affirming (LGBTQIA+) American Baptist Church whose arms are open to embrace everyone, just as God embraces us all without distinction. We worship God joyfully and serve Jesus enthusiastically.”
Pastor Curtis Price said they put up banners and flags to celebrate Pride month, and every year they get vandalized or stolen. This year, the Pride flags were stolen before June began, back on May 30.
Related: UTA will not appear at Pride, other festivals this year
“This isn’t really anything new,” Price said. “I’m not surprised. I don’t think anyone was surprised when it happened.”
Pride flag thefts not shocking
Price says although its not shocking its still jarring for church members, because you never know if it will escalate into something else. Especially for those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community.
“It feels like a bit of a violation,” Price said. “Especially for the LGBTQ members of our church, who many are coming from a place of religious trauma and they’re here because its a safe space.”
This incident isn’t going to stop them. Price confirmed that the advocacy group Project Rainbow replaced the Pride flags that weekend, where they will continue to fly.
Related: Salt Lake City adopts 3 new flags to bypass new state flag law
“Pride is an important time for us because we are a welcoming and affirming congregation,” Price said. “Particularly now in a time when municipalities and the government are trying to ban pride flags, it seems all the more important that we display our flag. Exercising our freedom to do so, freedom of speech, freedom of religion. Just to signal to the community that this is a safe space.”
Price said the fight often depicted between the LGBTQ+ and religious community is not real. He said the idea that the two entities are on opposite sides of the issue is a misrepresentation.
“People of faith can be welcoming and affirming,” Price said. “LBTQ people are people of faith, and there are communities where that is celebrated. We are one of them.”
