Bishops Old Boys defend Pride flag: ‘They must change!’
· The South African
A number of Bishops Diocesan College Old Boys have defended the school’s decision to fly a Pride flag in support of the LGBTQ community.
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The Cape Town all-boys school has made headlines after members of the Old Diocesan Committee called for their alma mater to take a “neutral” stance.
BISHOPS COLLEGE OLD BOYS DEFEND PRIDE FLAG
In recent days, actor and comedian Anton Taylor, a former Bishops Diocesan College alumnus, has challenged a committee of Old Boys who have rejected the school’s decision to fly a Pride flag for just two days in the year, during Pride month in June.
The Old Boys fall under the Old Diocesan Committee (ODC), an alumni representative body.
In a letter addressed to the school’s governing body, the ODC called for the Pride flag to be removed and replaced with a more “neutral” one – like the Saint George’s flag of England.
Anton Taylor has threatened to name and shame the committee members. He has called for them to step down from their posts.
His posts have gone viral and received widespread support, including that from other Old Boys.
Puppeteer Conrad Koch, known for his portrayal of Chester Missing, backed Anton’s stance, claiming that the school had shamed him over his non-traditional interests.
He commented under one video: “They must change. I’ll be there with a puppet and his 1,6 million followers.
Here’s what others had to say…
@andy_duncs: “As an OD, I’m disgusted with the OD union. Thank you for speaking up against the bullsh*t”
@Carscott76: “As a proud OF, I want to be clear that this committee does not represent me or my views. As a father of a gay son, I am deeply disappointed by the committee’s stance. Flying the Pride flag for just two days a year costs nothing. But can mean everything to someone who simply wants to know they belong”
@dgjacobs: “As an OD, I find it quite funny yet unsurprising that they would be crying about a flag. There are people out here dying in conflicts and billion-dollar trafficking rings”
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SUPPORTING A PROGRESSIVE CAUSE
Meanwhile, an advocacy group – Supporting a Progressive Bishops – has emerged amid the backlash of the Pride flag debate.
The group is made up of fellow alumni and friends of the school.
The independent group currently has over 300 recorded signatures from its supporters, including 17 staff members and 16 anonymous current students.
The group shared: “For several years, Bishops has flown the Pride flag for a few days each Pride Month.
“It is a small and gentle gesture, and its meaning is simple: that the LGBT+ members of the Bishops community, and especially the boys in the school’s own care, are as welcome, as valued and as safe here as anyone else.
“We support the school’s freedom to make that gesture, and we hope it will continue. We say so gladly, and on firm ground.