In recent years, Morgantown, West Virginia has been trending in the right direction on LGBTQ rights.After being taken out for a couple years by the pandemic, the town’s Pride celebrations returned late this summer.
They even hosted their first ever Pride parade, with hundreds of community members turning out to celebrate and show support.In spite of this–or perhaps in retaliation–the local school board proposed a decision to remove any and all Pride flags from Monongalia County schools earlier this month.The school district’s policy states:Non-school related activities, including political activities, do not contribute to a positive learning climate and may be disruptive, divisive and distracting.
Therefore, such activities are not appropriate within the school setting. It is the intention of the board of education to regulate such activities on all board owned or used property, within all school buildings and all school sponsored activities.Flags were reportedly already removed at Morgantown High by the second day of classes.Related: Missouri high school begins new year by forcing teachers to remove Pride flags from classroomsThe move immediately garnered complaints from parents, students, and community members alike.Local queer rights group Morgantown Pride is making it clear that the community won’t be taking this decision without a fight.The org has put out an official call to protest: A post shared by Morgantown Pride.