The City of Missoula adopted the LGBTQIA Pride flag as an official city flag on Monday night in response to a new state law that restricts what can be flown on public property.

The Missoula City Council voted 9-2 for the approval, which uses a loophole in the new state law that allows local government flags to be flown.

The law restricting flags on public property, known as House Bill 819 , bans governments from flying flags that promote "political party, race, sexual orientation, gender or political ideology."

The law does not bar people from personally sporting flags, but focuses on official uses of the flag. Ward 1 City Councilor Jennifer Savage said the law limits visibility for the queer community.

"If we pass this resolution tonight, we take a stand against a bill that was only

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