“I know there are many folks in our community that love to see that visibility here in Stratford and the surrounding areas, and so that’s what we’re trying to do,” he said. That vandalism, which happened at Central Perth, Elma Township, North Easthope and Mornington Central public schools, was both startling and disheartening, Ashley added. “I know the Pride flags mean a lot of things to a lot of people, but specifically when you look at children who are going to these schools, it shows
a welcomeness and inclusivity. The fact that something like that happens at a school, which is meant to be a safe space for all of the kids that are going there, is a little bit disgusting,” he said. While there have been several different iterations of the Pride flag over the years, the intersex inclusive Progress Pride version is both the most recent and the most inclusive, Ashley noted. This flag includes a purple circle in a yellow triangle, five multicoloured triangles and the rainbow
stripes of the original Pride flag. “Because there are different iterations that have adapted and evolved over the years, we just want to make sure we’re using the one that represents the most folks within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community,” Ashley said. While the Pride flag is typically flown during Pride Month in June, Stratford-Perth Pride is hoping to fly these flags starting in May and ending in September. “We’re relying a bit on the city to get them put up and down, and so whatever makes
it easiest for them, but we’re happy to have them out as much as possible,” Ashley said.
Stratford-Perth Pride, Pride flags, vandalism, public schools, Central Perth, Elma Township, North Easthope, Mornington Central, Progress Pride, 2SLGBTQIA+
Good, put the flags up. Somebody always has to vandalize everything now.
Wait so they’re flying them May to September?? That’s a long time for something kids are supposed to just learn. I mean I’m not against people, just confused why it needs to be school-wide year after year.
Progress Pride with the purple circle and yellow triangle… I thought Pride was just rainbows? Like every year it changes and then people act shocked it gets vandalized. Also doesn’t the article say the vandalism was at multiple schools, so is it the same person?
This is really disgusting that anyone would mess with school stuff. But I also saw a post saying it was just “graffiti” and not really vandalism? Either way, relying on the city to put them up sounds like a mess waiting to happen, because what if they forget and then everyone fights about it.