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