Pride flag to fly at all public elementary schools in June

DAN JANISSE / WINDSOR STAR

The rainbow flag, symbol of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities, will fly in front of all public elementary schools for at least one week during Pride Month in June. “When you’re in elementary school, and you’re just coming into adolescence, it’s a very vulnerable time,” said Greater Essex County District School Board vice-chairman Julia Burgess, who introduced the motion. “You may not have a lot of peers like you. The Pride flag tells them we have their back.”

“Who wouldn’t be proud to fly that flag?” said chairperson Jessica Sartori, struggling with emotion.

"This is a commitment to run it up a flagpole"

She flies it at her home, she said. The board has flown the flag at its office and its high schools since 2016. Trustees voted 9-1 Tuesday to expand the practice to elementary schools. Trustee Linda Qin was the only trustee to oppose the recommendation, warning the board it could “mislead” children about gender. Trustee Cathy Cooke supported the flag but said it’s not enough.

“We also need to have a lot of education,” she said, suggesting that students be taught what the flag means.