The Pride Flag -- specifically, the Progress Pride Flag -- will fly at Red Deer Public Schools' head office for the month of June, internationally known as Pride Month. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

By Alessia Proietti and Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

still progress to make

Red Deer Public Schools raises flag for Pride Month

Jun 1, 2022 | 5:05 PM

For the first time, Red Deer Public Schools has raised the Pride flag at its main offices.

The moment on Tuesday was celebratory, in that it kicks off a month-long recognition of Pride Month, which internationally takes place in June.

It also follows a heated debate which occurred last year when the then board of trustees voted against a proposed Pride Week in favour of Diversity Week.

Nicole Buchanan, board chair, said schools in the division will each celebrate for one week in June, one way or another, with age-appropriate activities.

“There certainly is an awareness and education piece to Pride Month. That is something we hope will evolve, with this year looking differently than years to come,” said Buchanan. “But if this is something that will allow one student, staff member or family to feel safe and welcome in Red Deer Public Schools, that’s all we ask for.”

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Buchanan, who was against last year’s proposal, reiterated that equity is the division’s main priority. She noted too that most schools in the division, especially high schools and middle schools, are home to Queer-Straight Alliances (QSAs) or Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs).

“We want everyone to feel safe and welcome in our schools,” she added. “This is a momentous occasion, and we’re happy to celebrate Pride Month in Red Deer Public School Division.”

The proponent of last year’s proposal, Trustee Dianne Macaulay also led a recent revamping of the division’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) policy, which included supporting Pride Month in schools.

Macaulay described herself as a proud parent and ally of folks who identify as part of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.

“Over my years as a trustee, I have continually had conversations and received emails from students and even some staff who didn’t feel it was a safe place for them if they identified as any of the 2SLGBTQI+ community,” she shared.

“A lot of this has to do with acceptance and knowledge. There’s so much education to be had on what the acronym means, what individuals’ lives are like, and telling the community it’s not a choice for these people. They are this way, and acceptance needs to be 100 per cent of the time, not just part of the day; that includes when they go home.”

Watercolor, a Grade 12 student at Hunting Hills High School, recalls feeling the hurt last year when the board refused to approve Pride Week.

It was a, “cop-out,” they say, and showed the division was, “too scared,” to focus on 2SLGBTQI+ issues. For now, however, Watercolor calls the Pride Month initiative and raising of the flag a small, but positive step forward.

“They’re yet to really start running with the idea. There are still issues in schools which need to be addressed,” they say, mentioning bullying and harassment. “With the division’s SOGI policy, so many students have no idea it even exists, or that they can go to their school library and find 2SLGBTQI+ resources.”

Watercolor says they’ve grown into their own skin over the course of high school, but it didn’t come easy with the lack of representation in all forms of media.

“I’m different, and I know now that different isn’t bad. This is just something that happens; people are queer,” they say. “But traditionally, everything is so cisgendered and heterosexual-focused. If there had been one book with even one queer character, I could’ve discovered myself sooner.”

The Pride flag at RDPSD’s head offices will come down at the end of June, something Watercolor believes warrants an important message.

“Just because Pride Month ends on June 30 doesn’t mean queer people cease to exist,” they say. “If you want to support us for a month, great, but it’d be nice if that support could last. For people who are queer, or 2SLGBTQI+, keep raising your voice.”

Pride Month has also been proclaimed for the city by Red Deer Mayor Ken Johnston.