Sonoma Pride Flag Fight Heads Back Before School Board

SONOMA VALLEY, CA — The Pride flag that sparked a community fight after its removal from Sonoma Valley High School could remain permanently atop a designated symbolic flagpole under one of two options heading to the Sonoma Valley Unified School District board Sept. 10.

District staff members are developing two approaches to govern which flags fly on school campuses, according to information reported by The Sonoma Index-Tribune.

The board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Sonoma City Council Chambers. Wake UP Sonoma is urging residents to attend and press trustees to keep the Pride flag flying year round at Sonoma Valley High School.

The flag had flown over the high school since 2019 before its removal in January prompted significant community objections. The district raised it again four days later.

Since then, the school board has considered establishing a district flag policy governing which flags schools may fly, as well as where and when they may display them.

One option would permanently fly the U.S., California, and school flags while reserving a fourth flagpole for approved symbolic or commemorative flags that would rotate according to an established schedule.

The second option would assign a specific purpose — state, symbolic, or school — to each of the four existing flagpoles. Under that proposal, the progressive Pride flag would remain the primary flag on Sonoma Valley High School's symbolic flagpole, with any additional symbolic flags displayed below it.

District Supt. Jason Sutter is expected to present options for the flag's future treatment during the Sept. 10 meeting, according to Wake UP Sonoma.

Students and other community members have formed a Pride flag advocacy group since the flag's initial removal and are seeking to keep it permanently displayed at the high school.

Wake UP Sonoma also wants the flag to remain flying year round. The nonprofit community advocacy group says the flag provides a visible sign of support and safety for LGBTQIA+ students.

The organization is also calling for employee training and enforcement of the district's anti-harassment and anti-bullying policies.

“Our kids deserve to feel safe, welcomed, and valued at school,” Deanna Glory, one of the effort's lead organizers, said. “The pride flag is one simple but powerful way our school board can say to every student: You are safe here. You belong here. You are welcome here.”

Wake UP Sonoma President Lisa Storment encouraged residents to attend the Sept. 10 meeting in support of LGBTQIA+ students. The organization is asking attendees to RSVP so organizers can estimate turnout.

“We urge you to come on Sept. 10 and show how a community can advocate for its most vulnerable against injustice,” Storment said in a news release.

Wake UP Sonoma also cited California's Safe Place to Learn Act, which requires schools to maintain learning environments free from discrimination and harassment based on characteristics that include sexual orientation and gender identity.

The organization argues that visible signs of support, combined with policies and training, help create an inclusive school environment.

Wake UP Sonoma is encouraging residents to bring signs and flags to the meeting and participate in what the group describes as a protest against “oppression affecting all marginalized members of our community.”

The Sept. 10 meeting is scheduled from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Sonoma City Council Chambers, 177 First St. West.