Utah teacher resists anti-gay law with a rainbow in his pocket

In a political climate where rainbow flags are seen as more dangerous than Confederate ones, Utah educators like John Arthur are quietly and creatively pushing back.

Arthur, a teacher at Meadowlark Elementary School in Salt Lake City and Utah’s 2021 Teacher of the Year, recently shared a moving story on Threads about how he navigated the state’s increasingly hostile laws targeting LGBTQ+ representation in classrooms. His solution? A rainbow of pens tucked into his pocket.

This quiet act of defiance came after Arthur found himself caught between his instincts as an affirming educator and a 2001 Utah law that forbade “advocacy of homosexuality” in schools. Although this particular law was repealed by the legislature in 2017 following a lawsuit by Equality Utah, its legacy and spirit live on through recent legislation like this year’s ban on Pride flags and “LGBTQ+ displays” in public schools and government buildings.

Arthur recounted a pivotal moment in his classroom when his students giggled at the words “gay” and “queer” during a reading of The Wizard of Oz.

“I was about to say something when my principal, who was observing in the room at the time, shook her head ‘no,’” he said. “After the lesson, she told me that there was a law that prohibited me from discussing anything that had to do with gay or queer identities in class, for fear that I might be promoting ‘an alternative lifestyle.’”

One student, who Arthur said was “clearly gay,” heard the laughter too and winced. Wanting to show that student some love and solidarity, Arthur asked his principal if he could display a rainbow flag or wear a small Pride pin. Her answer was simple: No. Not under the law.

But Arthur didn’t give up.

“Late one night, I realized I could just carry a ‘rainbowish assortment’ of pens, highlighters, and markers in my pocket,” he said. “No one could give me a hard time for wearing a bunch of pens in my pocket.”

The next day, he walked into his classroom with his quiet protest in place.

“Most people made nothing of it,” Arthur said, “but my boy knew. He looked at me, and he knew I was flying the flag just for him.”

It was a small act that spoke volumes.

Arthur’s story comes at a time when Utah lawmakers are doubling down on censoring LGBTQ+ visibility in schools. Utah Rep. Trevor Lee, who introduced the Pride flag ban, has defended it with alarming rhetoric. He’s gone on record saying the law should allow teachers to fly Nazi and Confederate flags because, in his view, “history shouldn’t be censored.” But a rainbow flag? That’s a step too far.

In his video, Arthur responded directly to Lee. “Trevor Lee, I promise, brother, you’re wasting your time. Bigotry will never outpace our creativity.”

“The only way to get rid of rainbow flags and all the rest is to make them unnecessary,” he continued. “When all our kids, LGBTQ youth included, get to walk into our classrooms and find themselves celebrated in the books they read, the histories they study, and the stories we tell them, teachers won’t need to fly rainbow flags for them anymore.”

Until then, Arthur and educators like him will keep finding creative ways to lovingly say: You are seen. You belong. You matter.