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Paolo De Buono is a York Region resident and teacher with the Toronto Catholic District School Board.By Laura Broadley Metroland file photo
After declining a proposal last year to fly the Pride flag outside its main office, the publicly funded York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) has once again received a similar request but remained noncommittal about the possibility.
The school board granted Paolo De Buono, an outspoken advocate for the 2SLGBTQ+ community, the opportunity to address the trustees on April 30 regarding the matter.
De Buono, a York Region resident and teacher with the Toronto Catholic District School Board, pushed for the Pride flag to be flown at both the York board headquarters and all schools throughout Pride month in June, a proposal the board has consistently rejected in recent years.
“Now is the time to act, ” De Buono told YCDSB trustees.
“Approximately a year ago today, York Catholic students, delegates and student trustees, they spoke clearly to you about the positive benefit for students, especially 2SLGBTQIA+ students.”
Students from Sacred Heart Catholic High School walk out of class and wave flags along Srigley Street in Newmarket as part of a board-wide walkout against a recent board decision involving Pride flags, on June 8, 2023.
By Amanda Persico Metroland file photo
“Inclusion improves learning because students feel more welcome and safe in a school board that outwardly, in the form of the Pride flag, displays the intention to be 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive,” said De Buono.
Despite De Buono's proposal for a procedural motion to have staff report on the possibility of flying the Pride flag at the May board meeting, trustees did not engage with the idea or pose any questions to De Buono. Additionally, the board has not made any public indications regarding the potential for Pride flags to be flown in June.
Last May, the board sparked considerable controversy by declining to raise the Pride flag, a decision that stood in contrast to actions taken by other public Catholic and non-denominational school boards across the GTA.
In the ensuing months, proponents and opponents of the initiative engaged in discussions with trustees, presenting arguments both for and against the idea, along with discussions about the implementation of safe space stickers at certain schools.
A Pride sticker that states “Safe Space” by York Catholic Teachers is seen on the entrance of the Sacred Heart Catholic High School in Newmarket. June 3, 2023.
By Yoyo Yan Metroland file photo
The contentious debate over inclusivity at the YCDSB reached a boiling point during several board meetings, starting last winter, leading to incidents where students were heckled and police were called.
In January, the board entertained a motion from trustee Frank Alexander proposing a ban on nearly all flags on school premises, with exceptions limited to papal, national, provincial and municipal flags. The board opted to refer it to its policy review committee for further study.
De Buono emphasized that while he acknowledges the Pride flag wouldn't eradicate all systemic discrimination, its presence would signify a meaningful stride forward.
“The Pride flag represents a significant step in fostering a safer and more inclusive environment for York Catholic students,” he asserted.
来源链接：
https://www.toronto.com/news/york-catholic-school-board-rejects-another-request-to-fly-pride-flag-in-june/article_eadfc57c-ee5e-5f83-94a6-8ff502946472.html
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