VIEWPOINT
WOULD JESUS FLY THE PRIDE FLAG? MY JESUS WOULD By Walt Chaisson
H
ow many more times can support for LGBTQ2SIA be given and yanked away simply because some people are uncomfortable?
see physical examples of love, support, and acceptance from anywhere, but most especially from their Catholic school boards.
I am referring, of course, to the decision by the Waterloo Catholic District School Board to raise a “modified version” of the Pride flag to honour Pride month, rather than the historical, relevant one that was created through blood, sweat, and, tears. And then, after a trustee openly said that pride is the “deadliest of deadly sins,” their decision to not fly any flag at all!
I am particularly disappointed by the (typical) actions of the Waterloo Catholic school board in light of the fact that there are teachers, staff, and organizations like OECTA that do actually support LGBTQ2SIA students and staff, and who would be proud to fly that flag in the Pride parade.
Whew! Quite a dance, and not the good kind. How do I feel, as a gay Catholic teacher in a Catholic system, knowing that the flag will not be flown? I would love to say I am surprised, but I am not. It is more of the typical backpeddling and double-speak from Catholic boards, who are known for saying or implying things like, “We support you, just not your lifestyle,” or, “We support you, but not too openly,” or, “You can have a Pride flag, but it cannot be that actual Pride symbol, because that’s too political.” Am I upset? Yes! Gutted? You bet. For the students and the community at large, who need to
30 CATHOLIC TEACHER | JUNE 2020
Why did this back-peddling occur? Because apparently there was “feedback” from a variety of sources? Well then. Let’s just do what is easy, shall we? Let’s just not do anything and allow perverse, hateful thoughts about LGBTQ2SIA people continue to win. Is that what Jesus would do? Not my Jesus. And I am hopeful that your Jesus would not, either. My Jesus would turn hatred and vile words against those who dared speak them. It is not gay pride that is misplaced. It is the pride of believing you are above others. That you are better than others. That you are able to look at a section of our students and our population and tell them they are not as important, equal, or loved as others.
