Halton Catholic school board continues debate over pride flag at schools

The Halton Catholic District School board will be revisiting the contentious debate over whether to display the pride flag outside its schools.

Last year the board voted against a similar motion following a heated virtual meeting, despite several other Catholic School boards deciding to fly the flag during pride month.

Jamie Barry, who came out as a lesbian to her parents was disappointed when the Halton Catholic School board voted against flying the pride flag last year. Barry says they feel left out and that they should be able to express themselves the way they want to, and the flag would help.

Burlington trustee Brenda Agnew who brought forth the motion last year will be doing so again tonight. “People may call me a bad Catholic for that, I’m a proud Catholic, been my whole life. I believe we need to show love and respect for all and this is an excellent way of doing that.”

Several other Catholic School Boards in the area agreed to fly the pride flag in the month of June, including Toronto and Niagara Falls.

Student Trustee, Katie Bowie says “I think overwhelmingly students are looking towards the debate tonight to see if our board is one they can feel welcome and included and achieve all the things they want to achieve.”

In voting down the pride flag last year, the opposition argued that flying it would undermine Christian values.

The four liberal MP’s in Halton signed an open letter to the board declaring their support for flying the pride flag.