Parents Push Back on Pride Month in Ontario Schools

A Canadian flag flies outside York Catholic District School Board headquarters in Aurora, Ont., on May 29, 2023, when the board voted not to fly the pride flag. Tara MacIsaac/The Epoch Times

AURORA, Ont.—The recent decision by a Catholic school board in Ontario’s York Region not to fly the pride flag during Pride Month in June is emblematic of a province-wide call to halt flag-raisings and other events expected in schools throughout the month.

Many parents are looking at pulling their children out of school during such events. A national walk-out is scheduled for June 1 and gaining traction.

“All this political propaganda that’s coming in, it’s all influences that the kids don’t need. They’re already confused enough,” German Reyes, a York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) parent, told The Epoch Times at a May 29 board meeting.

“They need to learn about sexuality and all that stuff, but they can learn from their parents.”

Regarding those in favour of the flag and Pride Month events, Reyes said, “They can keep their beliefs and all their thoughts and everything, but they don’t have to push it onto everybody else.”

The YCDSB’s flag controversy has been much publicized, with police having been called to previous meetings on the issue. Police were present at the May 29 meeting, but disturbances were few and relatively mild. The board voted 6–4 against flying the flag. Many said the Canadian flag is enough and that it represents all students.

Trustees Frank S.D. Alexander, Maria Lafrate, Michaela Barbieri, and Angela Saggese are seen voting against flying the pride flag at a York Catholic District School Board meeting on May 29, 2023. Tara MacIsaac/The Epoch Times

Trustee Carol Cotton voted in favour of flying the flag.

“We have heard through the tears of children that they do not feel loved, welcomed, and safe,” she said at the meeting. “I challenge each of my colleagues to support this motion ... as a deliberate gesture of commitment to our students.”

Trustee Angela Saggese, on the other hand, voted against it.

“I think the board will continue to do their work to [ensure] the safety for all children. We don’t need a flag to do that,” she said.

Similar flag controversies have sprung up in boards across the province ahead of Pride Month.

Flag Opposition, Walk-Out

At a Durham District School Board meeting on May 15, one father suggested simply opting for the Canadian flag.

“How about we just stop sexualizing our flagpoles and fly the Canadian flag?” he said.

Timothy Deen, 17, said at a Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board meeting on May 23 that Christians shouldn’t compromise their beliefs when it comes to this issue.

“We should always show love and respect to everyone regardless of who that person is, but that doesn’t mean that we should compromise our Christian beliefs in any capacity, whether it’s a flag we fly or a celebration we hold in our schools.”

Bishop Ronald P. Fabbro of the Diocese of London said in a statement on May 24 that Catholic schools should “treat all people with respect” and welcome all, but should refrain from flying the pride flag “because of the confusion it causes in the minds of the faithful.”

At Eagle Heights Public School in London, Ont., some 400 students were absent on May 17 presumably due to parental opposition to the pride flag-raising, according to the London Free Press. It was the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, and the school saw a similar absence on Rainbow Day three months prior.

Several other London schools experienced big spikes in absences on May 17, the London Free Press reported.

Campaign Life Coalition is organizing a National ‘Pride’ Flag Walk-Out Day on June 1, and mass absences are also expected.

“We’ve received commitments to keep their kids home from parents in six provinces and one territory,” Jack Fonesca, a spokesperson for the Christian advocacy organization, said via email.

‘I Will Be Pulling My Kids Out’

“I know a lot of parents are keeping their kids home from school June 1 and 2 when the pride flag-raising ceremony is occurring,“ Robyn Adamus, a parent in Waterloo, told The Epoch Times. ”Others are taking their kids out of school completely for the whole month of June.”

Her children’s daycare sent home a flyer on May 29 saying they would be celebrating Pride Month and having a Rainbow Day on June 7.

“I will be following up with the director to clarify what exactly Pride Month will entail for 3-month-olds to 4-year-olds. Depending on what she says, I will be pulling my kids out for the entire month or just on the days they’re doing pride activities,” Adamus said.

“I’ve never judged anyone based on their sexual orientation or whatever they identify as,” she added, but noted that pride initiatives are creating division and categorizing people, and she’s worried about discussions that aren’t age-appropriate.

Former Barrie high school teacher Chanel Pfahl, who remains an active observer of Ontario schools, faced some criticism on social media for posts critical of Pride Month.

“You’re imagining that I’m hateful, when the reality is I want everyone included - treated the same - and less emphasis on our ‘identity categories,’ that’s all,” wrote Pfahl.

Board, Ministry Reactions

Pfahl had posted a memo dated May 10, which she says was distributed to Peel District School Board employees regarding opposition they may face during Pride Month. The memo said it is important for educators “to address homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia when it occurs.”

It said gender and sexual-orientation teachings should be distributed throughout the year and throughout all subjects, essentially bypassing parents’ efforts to remove children from such teachings.

“Although parents/caregivers have the option to opt out of specific content during the Health unit, all identities, including 2SLGBTQIA+ should be embedded in all other curriculum areas affirmed throughout the year,” the memo said. “Such teachings should not be considered for exemption.”

The board did not reply by press time to an Epoch Times inquiry regarding the memo and how the board views parental rights being worked into Ontario’s curriculum to opt out of such teachings in sex education.

Ontario’s education minister Stephen Lecce has stood in favour of flying the pride flag for Pride Month.

He told reporters in Burlington on May 1 that flying the flag is “something that’s done to send a signal of respect and inclusion, and I would welcome that in publicly funded schools.” That includes the York Catholic District School Board, which is in his home riding, though he said he would not intervene in the board’s decision.

Lecce issued a memo on May 30 to school boards regarding Pride Month, saying “It is incumbent on all school boards to ensure all students—most especially 2SLGBTQ+ students—feel supported, reflected in their schools, and welcomed within our communities. That includes celebrating Pride in a constructive, positive and meaningful ways [sic].”

As Catholic schools especially come under criticism by pride advocates, however, Lecce has expressed continued support for publicly funded Catholic education.

“We stand united in the defense, protection, and promotion of quality Catholic education in Ontario,” he tweeted on May 17. It was International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, and Lecce did not post anything LGBTQ-related that day.