Connetquot School District: Reverse The Pride Flag Ban

LGBTQIA+ students are one of the most marginalized groups in our community, facing discrimination, hatred, and more. They have elevated rates of suicide and depression, and often face hostility from their peers. Schools should be safe spaces for all students, ones where they feel welcomed and celebrated for their unique selves. Connetquot has had challenges with racism and homophobia, and the efforts of the Connetquot GSA advisor to create a more welcoming school environment with her Progress Pride flag is to be comended. It was extremely disappointing to see the district, at the behest of Jackie Napolitano-Furno (BOE President), not only force that educator to remove her flag, but follow that by banning Pride flags entirely. Connetquot should be thinking about how to further support and welcome LGBTQIA+ students, not giving into bigots and worsening an already critical situation. Lift the ban on Pride flags, and allow the Progress Pride flag to hang in classrooms once again.