Month: January 2023

Central Bucks’ New Ban on Pride Flags

          Photo Source 

Whether it is June or not, LGBTQ+ pride radiates throughout school districts across the state, but one school district has put an end to pride and LGBTQ+ representation altogether. LGBTQ+ representation—let’s talk about it.

Central Bucks School District, located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, recently passed a new policy that has sparked controversy and outrage throughout the county, with the loudest protestors being members of the LGBTQ+ community. On January 10, 2023, the Central Bucks School Board passed in a 6-3 vote Policy 321 or, “the Partisan, Political, or Social Policy Advocacy Activities” policy. With this new policy enacted, teachers are now banned to display any flag, banner, poster, sign, sticker, pin, button, insignia, paraphernalia, photos, or anything else similar (exempting the American flag or Pennsylvanian flag). It’s true, the policy is ambiguous, but many teachers have steered clear of the risk of termination by avoiding topics of sexual orientation and gender identity altogether.

 

While the policy never explicitly mentions LGBTQ+, many members of the community remain threatened and infuriated. According to President Dana Hunter and Vice President Leigh Vlasblom, Policy 321 protects against indoctrination with neutrality. In other words, Hunter and Vlasblom believe that a policy like Policy 321 will foster greater education by minimizing distractions and political symbols, such as the LGBTQ+ flag. As one can imagine, this did not sit well with the LGBTQ+ community. In November, 7 LGBTQ+ students filed a federal Title IX complaint through the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), alleging that Central Bucks has created a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ students. Even the nonprofit legal group, Education Law Center, wrote in an October letter that Policy 321 was “overboard, discriminatory and is plainly intended to chill educators’ support for LGBTQ+ students” (Education Law Center).

 

In response to these suits, Central Bucks hired lawyers Bill McSwain and Michael Rinaldi to represent Central Bucks School District. To the disheartenment of many LGBTQ+ students, Central Bucks won, leaving students with nothing more than a prideless classroom. Eventually, an updated Policy section of Policy 321 was released, explaining that “this policy is not a prohibition on topics of speech. Rather, it is designed to promote education instead of indoctrination or endorsement of partisan, political, or social policy matters.” And while Vlasblom continues to assert that Policy 321 is “not about a policy about pride flags,” parents and students are concerned and outraged. Since the policy has been passed, many protests have ensued.  “I’m not surprised, but very disheartened, very upset,” said a Central Bucks woman. “It’s the direction the board has been going and we expected it, but we’re going to keep fighting.”

Unfortunately, Policy 321 is not quarantined to Central Bucks School District. Neighboring districts like Pennridge have also adopted this policy, thus making this a county-wide issue. As a local of Montgomery County (Bucks County neighboring county), I am deeply saddened to hear about the passage of Policy 321. As someone with best friends and a brother in the LGBTQ+ community, I am appalled and disgusted over Central Bucks and their newest policy. Whether the policy was intended to be anti-LGBTQ+ or not, it is still wrong to ban displays of support and pride for such a poorly argued reason. Furthermore, I think it is wrong to closet (no pun intended) teachers and threaten them with termination if they want to display any pride signs, flags, or posters. While I was never a big fan of my school district, I am very grateful that it was a district that was very loving and supportive toward the LGBTQ+ community, and I only hope that Central Bucks can reciprocate that same love and support toward their students.

 

But what do YOU think? Do you think that this is a protest worth having, or is Policy 321 justified? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Until next time! Keep researching, advocating, and most of all, talking!

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