Indiana School Faces Backlash For Banning Pride Flags In Classrooms As It Is "Political"

A school in Indiana, United States faces backlash for ordering teachers to remove pride flags from their classrooms. District officials said the flags violated the school’s no “political paraphernalia” policy.

Principal of Pendleton Heights High School Connie Rickert banned the pride flag in the classrooms. She said that “Teachers are legally obligated to maintain viewpoint neutrality during official duties to ensure all students can focus on learning”.

President of the board of trustees for the district Bill Hutton called displaying the flag in school a “double-edged sword”. In an email, Hutton said that if the pride flag is displayed then other groups would also have the same ability. “That could include such flags as supporting white supremacy, which is in direct conflict with LGBTQ+. I hope we can model equality and support through our actions,” read the email.

Tai Willis, a student at Pendleton Heights High School disagreed with what the email said about the pride flag and a flag supporting white supremacy. Willis said that “One is about inclusiveness and the other is about hate and exclusion, and I don't think that's the same thing at all.”

Willis also added that the school’s attitude towards their LGBTQ+ students was no supportive. When she began a Gay-Straight Alliance club, she was told that the club would not be allowed to post fliers or raise money like other clubs. Willis said that they called it “a sensitive topic”.

Student Bryce Axel-Adams started a petition that called on the high school to reverse the policy. “Having a pride flag is one of the clearest ways to say, ‘I support you, and I’m here for you. You are loved,’” read the petition which reached over 4,000 signatures.

Adams updated the petition after the school administrators said they changed their stance. The school was not banning pride flags because they are “political” and are banning the flag to avoid a discrimination lawsuit.