@@ Carroll County MD School Board bans Pride flags

[mala]

baltimore.cbslocal.com/2022/06/09/carroll-county-school-board-bans-pride-flags-on-school-property/

The new policy doesn't just ban pride flags, but it was created/written for that purpose. It technically bans all flags that aren't the US, Maryland, or County flags from classrooms unless they're part of a unit or display on a specific country or meet some other very specific requirements. This limits what teachers and admins are allowed to put up in classrooms and hallways, it does not restrict what students can wear or bring into school.

And no flag is allowed to be bigger than the US flag.

And they finalized this policy during Pride month.

If you are local (and I know there are a few others in our county here) PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU VOTE. (probably don't need to say that to this crowd)


Big kid and big kid's best friend will continue to wear as many rainbows on their clothing as they can to school. Fuck this policy.

I know it's small potatoes, but I need people to share my outrage.

[seeyalater52]

Seriously fuck these people. Genocide by a thousand paper cuts stings especially badly during this pride season. It’s been a long couple of years, y’all, but it’s escalating and I’m scared.

[mala]

Jun 9, 2022 20:06:02 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Seriously fuck these people. Genocide by a thousand paper cuts stings especially badly during this pride season. It’s been a long couple of years, y’all, but it’s escalating and I’m scared.

The amount of hate and vitriol that has come out on FB/SM from this locally is staggering. And the people (KIDS!) speaking out against this policy made me want to cry for them.

[Deleted]

When the DoD put forth regulations banning confederate flags, the resulting wording also banned pride flags (similar wording to above — only US, State, service, and POW flags are allowed). I’m fairly certain it was intentional.

[Bernadine]

I have so many feelings about this. It’s so hateful, harmful, embarrassing.

[gretchenindisguise]

Fuck them all.

[Bernadine]

Someone put in a PIA for all comments submitted to the board. It seems the vast majority of comments, as well as the public comments during the board meeting, were opposed to the ban.

Mala, the work of some of these kids is so inspiring. It honestly keeps me going.

[melissa]

I am so proud of the kids for standing up for themselves and others. I hate the ruling and really think it is taking us backwards but it is exactly what I expect from this county. Just gives me more reasons to keep fighting.

[NewOrleans]

Seems easy to get around if someone were so inclined. Print out a picture to hang. Not a flag. Or if someone were really motivated, they could use part of a bulletin board and make their own with the colored paper. Not a flag. Print out signs with rainbow background that say “safe space” or “you are safe here.” Not a flag. This is a stupid bigoted chest thump.

[TamiTaylor]

How does this not violate the 1st amendment? Does this not fall under free speech protections?

[NewOrleans]

Jun 10, 2022 11:13:06 GMT -5 TamiTaylor said:

How does this not violate the 1st amendment? Does this not fall under free speech protections?

Teachers and schools don’t have FoS as private citizens in classroom settings. Students do.

[Bernadine]

Jun 10, 2022 10:57:19 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

Seems easy to get around if someone were so inclined. Print out a picture to hang. Not a flag. Or if someone were really motivated, they could use part of a bulletin board and make their own with the colored paper. Not a flag. Print out signs with rainbow background that say “safe space” or “you are safe here.” Not a flag. This is a stupid bigoted chest thump.

There are lots of posts on my secret county-wide liberal group with ideas.