York Catholic District School Board’s (YCDSB) decision not to fly the pride flag this June is the right decision. It should be the same for all public schools, and all government and municipal properties. Why?
For the simple reason that the only flags that truly represent all Ontarians without controversy are Canadian, provincial, or applicable municipal flags.
Given the maximal inclusivity that is claimed to be the goal of the public education system, no flag should be flown at schools unless it does in fact represent all Canadians.
The furor in some quarters over one school board (out of 72) not flying a pride flag is overblown, but more so, it is evidence that flying flags other than the Canadian flag can create division and controversy.
The fact that up to 30 percent of parents feel uncomfortable enough about Pride Month to keep their children home at significant inconvenience to themselves indicates that the flag does not universally represent all Canadians.
If there is a hint of controversy or sectarianism to a flag it shouldn’t be flown on public buildings. Few flags will reach that standard which is why only the Canadian flag should be flown at Ontario schools (along with provincial or municipal flags if additional poles exist).
There is no flag more representative of Canadians than the Canadian flag. There is no flag more appropriate to fly at Canadian schools. The idea that not flying a pride flag is an attack on LGBTQ people is the same as saying that I am in league with Russia for not flying a Ukrainian flag at my house.
I agree with many parents that it is unacceptable that the Canadian flag should be replaced—even for only a week here and there—by a less inclusive flag.
- There is an unlimited number of genders that can be adopted at will by a student;
- Gender identity is fluid;
- Sexuality is fixed and never changes;
- Sexuality is fluid;
- Your sexual and gender identities and proclivities are the core of who you are;
- Any consensual sexual activity or proclivity whatsoever should be explored and celebrated;
- You can be a different gender than your birth sex suggests, and if you are born in the ‘wrong body’ you should explore gender-affirming treatments such as puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and even sex-change surgery which will surgically modify your private parts to look like another gender.
There is no doubt teaching kids the ideas listed above has had an impact on this meteoric rise.
- It’s associated with pride marches which can contain hedonism, nudity, and promiscuity;
- It’s associated with displays that mock Christianity and Catholicism, such as the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (cross-dressing “nuns” invited to a recent Major League Baseball team for Pride Month)
- It’s associated with principles mentioned above that are diametrically opposed to Catholic teaching (that there are a multiplicity of genders for example).
York Catholic District School Board was right not to fly the flag, and other boards should follow suit.