york catholic school board pride flag

People are disappointed after Ontario school board refuses to fly Pride flag

Trustees at the York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) officially voted against flying the Pride flag outside its Catholic Education Centre in Aurora on Monday night. 

The decision follows months of contentious meetings — at least three of which resulted in police being called — over the issue of raising the rainbow flag during Pride month in June. 

Verbal reactions, from both sides of the heated debate, were heard as trustees with the board voted 6—4 against flying the flag at the end of the meeting. 

Chair Frank Alexander (who voted against the motion) ordered several individuals who expressed their disappointment with the decision to be escorted out by security.

Following a particularly intense meeting at the end of April over the same issue, the YCDSB amped up security during Monday night's meeting and warned attendees that there would be "increased security and the police will be present to assist if needed." 

People who attended the meeting were also asked to sign in, provide government ID at the door, and were given a letter that outlined the code of conduct. 

Soon after the motion was defeated, York Region's chapter of the volunteer-led LGBTQ2 support, resource and education network, Pflag, condemned the decision, writing that "the school board is unsafe for York Region's LGBTQ2IA+ community." 

"The most prevalent argument against last night's motion to raise the Progress Pride Flag was the idea that raising a flag won't fix the problems LGBTQ2IA+ students face within the board," a statement from Pflag reads

"Others belittled our Progress Pride Flag, calling it just a piece of fabric with no ties to our movement. These comments lack a true understanding of our community despite the learning trustees claimed to undertake," the statement continues. 

"This leaves us with no alternative but to recommend that LGBTQ2IA+ students, their parents & caregivers, and any LGBTQ2IA+ community member seeking employment with the YCDSB consider they may encounter situations which do not affirm their identity." 

The decision was also criticized by former Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne, who called the move "a cowardly, shameful decision," that "emboldens and validates homophobia and transphobia." 

If the motion had passed, the Pride flag to be flown outside the board's Catholic Education Centre was to be the Progress Pride flag, which was designed in 2018 by graphic designer Daniel Quasar. 

The flag adds five arrow-shaped lines to the six-coloured rainbow flag, and includes black and brown strips to represent marginalized LGBTQ+ communities of colour, along with the colours pink, light blue and white to represent the Transgender Pride Flag. 

Lead photo by

Chris Robert


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