Centerville voters supported Donald Trump in 2024 by 18.97%, and according to a Deseret News poll, 81% of conservatives — and 62% of Utahns overall — favored the law passed last year aimed at restricting the kinds of flags that can be placed in government buildings, which extends to pride flags.

Yet one of Centerville’s city council members, Cheylynn Hayman, has displayed a pride flag on the dais of the city council building and is determined enough to keep it that she’s willing to sue, according to a letter she sent to State Auditor Tina Cannon.

Hayman took her place on the city council after the 2023 city council elections were canceled due to lack of competition.

There were three city council seats open, and there were exactly three candidates: Hayman, Brian Plummer and Robyn Mecham.

Photo supplied, Centerville City

The exact same situation happened in Sunset in 2023. There were three city council spots and there were three candidates, so all three candidates got to walk on to the council unopposed. They were Nakisha Rigley, Ricky Carlson and Hope Thompson.

For her part, Hayman is focusing on the minority.

“I don’t think that a representative in order to support their community has to always support the majority of the community,” she told the Standard-Examiner. “Of course, the people who are in the minority are deserving of representation, too, and certainly, that would include members and supporters of the LGBTQ community. So as an elected representative, my job is not just to go along with what the majority says. Otherwise, why do we need elected leaders who undertake to investigate and make considered decisions? So all of my community is entitled to representation, not just the majority.”

Comments on law

In a post shared publicly on Facebook, Hayman called the law “mean-spirited and unnecessary” and said that it was “motivated by misplaced and misguided animus toward members of our LGBTQ community.” She called it “offensive.”

On her campaign site, she said among her priorities would be “actively listening to our community and ensuring that all voices are heard and respected.”

In stating what she said she would do if elected, she said, among other things, that she would “carefully review and consider all perspectives, actively listen to interested parties.”

She disagrees with the idea that her posts are a violation of a campaign promise of collaboration and respect.

“I don’t think that my advocating against a statewide ban that applies to all municipalities including mine – I don’t view that as being antagonistic or contrary to my constituents in any way, nor do I believe that it would undermine my collaborative approach,” she said. “Just because I feel strongly about one issue, that certainly doesn’t color the way in which I approach all of my decisions with regard to my community. … but that doesn’t mean that I am going to back down on something that I feel strongly about, that I feel like that all of my community deserves representation just because I have some in my community who may not agree with that.”

She also said her language is not an indication of how she feels about people in her community who support the law.

“Look … one of the beauties of freedom of speech is that we all have the ability to say what we think and we have different viewpoints. It’s one of the things that make our country and our communities strong. So I welcome people to disagree with me. I’ve been publicly on record of saying, I invite people to disagree with me. I respect the right of people to disagree with me. I will protect the right of people to disagree with me, because that is what the freedom of speech is.”

Call for more flags

Also in her Facebook post, Hayman called for more pride flags.

“I may be only one person. But even a single pebble thrown into a pond will generate ripples.

“Important ripples.

“Wide ripples.

“The types of ripples that, over time, may generate meaningful change.

“Until the Legislature revokes its offensive flag law, I will continue to display my pride flag at every city council meeting. And I invite other elected representatives to do the same.

“To use our voices, platforms, and protected freedoms of speech to fill city halls around the state with rainbow flags. To show the members of our LGBTQ communities that we support them and will stand up for them when it matters.

“To show the Legislature that it got it wrong and should fix its mistake.

“I hope the Legislature listens.

“Until it does, I encourage you to contact and invite your representatives to display pride flags in your own city halls. And you are always welcome to come see my pride flag at every Centerville City council meeting.”

Hayman said it was still too early to decide if she would run next year.

Asked if she was concerned that bringing more attention to this might make it harder for like-minded candidates to win elections in conservative cities, Hayman said she always encourages “robust competition” and encourages people to apply to run for office.

“I think that it’s an important public service, and … if this encourages more people to consider running for office and expressing their viewpoint, I think that benefits our whole community,” Hayman said.

Contact Standard-Examiner editor Ryan Comer at rcomer@standard.net.