A Northern California school district’s decision to restrict Pride flags sparked a student walkout Tuesday, with scores of schoolkids storming out of class to protest the move.
Students at Sonoma Valley High School, about 45 miles north of San Francisco, walked out Tuesday to challenge the new policy, which bars symbolic flags from flying in district schools year-round.
In a show of solidarity, local businesses raised Pride flags around the town square and across the street from the school, while roughly 60 staff members signed a memo supporting LGBTQ+ students, KRON4 reported.
“We value our LGBTQ+ students. You belong at Sonoma Valley High School and are an integral part of our Dragon community,” the memo stated.
The school’s Gender & Sexualities Alliance organized Tuesday’s demonstration, scheduled for 11:50 a.m., with supporters gathering nearby starting at 11:30 a.m. Protesters were encouraged to wear rainbow colors, carry Pride flags and bring protest signs.
GSA President Madeleine Edwards said the flag represents something more important than a campus decoration.
“I’ve been advocating for the Pride flag because growing up queer, there’s this assumption that you might not belong in every new room you walk into,” she told The Sonoma Sun.
District leaders have defended the restriction as a matter of equal treatment. According to school board President David Bell, the Pride flag had been given permanent placement without a formal process for other groups to request the same privilege.
He cited potential displays ranging from a Future Farmers of America flag to a Mexican flag for Cinco de Mayo or a banner celebrating an undefeated sports team.
The board also raised legal concerns tied to a 2022 Supreme Court ruling saying that that the city of Boston violated the First Amendment when it refused to let a private group hoist a Christian flag at City Hall.
Trustees ultimately rejected superintendent proposals allowing student leadership groups to vote on year-round symbolic displays, opting instead to limit those flags to designated awareness periods.
The policy passed 3–2 last Thursday, with Bell and trustees Catarina Landry and Jason Lehman supporting it. Under the new rules, American and California state flags must fly during the academic day, while schools may display their own flags.
The policy allows Pride flags to still be approved for specific occasions, such as Pride Month.
Lisa Storment, president of advocacy group Wake Up Sonoma, condemned the board’s decision while praising the students’ determination.
“I’m extremely disappointed in the school board. I’m very, very encouraged by the students who have decided that this fight isn’t over for them yet either,” she told KRON. “They’re very strong. They’re very resilient. And, you know, I think it’s really disappointing that our school board is not listening to the community.”
