Anti-LGBTQ outburst during Pride flag raising under investigation, Durham board says

The Durham District School Board says it is investigating afterstudentsdisrupted a Pride flag raising event on Tuesday.

The DDSB says it's deeply disappointedabout the incident, which occurred at Dr. Roberta Bondar Public School in Ajaxon theInternational Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

"We want to be clear that this behaviour is unacceptable," the DDSB said in a statement to CBC News. The boardaddedthe schoolis committed to fostering a learning environment that celebrates, supports, respects, valuesand embraces all forms of diversity.

The DDSB released no detailsand would not elaborate on what happened when asked by CBC News.But some accounts suggest astudent taking part inthe flag raising was a target of the disruption. Theboard does sayit will be addressing the inappropriate conduct with students.

PflagDurham Region whichprovides support, education and resources on issues of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression says it's concerned and saddened.

"Safety for 2SLGBTQI studentsat this school is paramount for theDDSB toaddress quickly and in a fulsomeway," said Jake Starratt-Farrin a statement.

Starratt-Farrsays PflagDurham Region works with the school board when incidents like this occur andit'savailable to support staff and students at the school.

"When incidents like this occur, it continues to highlight the need for DDSB to work with local community groups to help with developing sustainable, narrative-changing engagement for students,"Starratt-Farrsaid.

'An uphill battle'

Rebecca Hooton, a specialist withthe education and training team at The 519, which advocates for the inclusion of LGBTQ communities,worries about the long-term impact this will have on the student involved and others.

"There's going to be an uphill battle for that person to feel a sense of safety in a place where they had clearly already shared themselves," shesaid.

Hooton says whether an act like this happens at school, on the streetor online, it has a lasting effect on a young person who is still shaping their identity. She says she hopes the incident is dealt with immediately.

"The fact that it happened on such a meaningful day when we are actively trying to combat homophobia, biphobia and transphobia is particularly distressing."