Rev. Michiko Bown-Kai

April 7, 2025

To: Trustees of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board

Subject: As Followers of Jesus, We Stand Against the Motion to Ban the Pride Flag

Peace and grace be with you,

We, the undersigned ministers and Christian faith leaders, write to express our deep concern about the motion recently proposed by a trustee of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board to ban almost all flags—including the Pride and Progress Pride flags—on school property.

As people of faith, we believe that every human being is created in the image of God and carries inherent dignity that must be honoured in all circumstances. We are troubled by any effort that seeks to erase or silence the presence of Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and families in Catholic schools—communities where Christ’s love and welcome should be most clearly felt.

In Jesus’ teachings and throughout the Bible we see God’s unrelenting care and concern for the marginalized. As disciples of Jesus who wish to bear faithful witness to the Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ youth attending schools in the WCDSB, we carry that ethic with us.

We echo the words of Pope Francis, who teaches: “The dignity of others is to be respected in all circumstances... because human beings possess an inherent dignity equal in all persons.” (Fratelli Tutti, §213) And further: “We are called to universal fraternity, which is openness to all.” (Fratelli Tutti, §1)

These words call us not simply to tolerate differences, but to affirm the sacred worth of every human being as made in the image of God. We firmly believe that the Gospel calls us to radical hospitality, especially for those who are most vulnerable. For many Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ students, God’s love becomes most visible when their identities and stories are affirmed in the spaces where they learn and grow.

Removing the Pride flag sends a message of exclusion to students who are already at higher risk of isolation, bullying, and mental health struggles. For many Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ youth, visible signs of welcome—like the Pride flag—are not merely symbolic. They are tangible signs of hope, belonging, and safety. They proclaim: “You are seen. You are loved. You matter here.”

As followers of Jesus from diverse communities of faith, we have seen firsthand the harm that exclusion can do—and the healing power of affirmation. Jesus set a table where everyone had a place. In our time, we are called to ensure that every student knows they are beloved by God, and that their full humanity is affirmed and protected in our schools.

We urge you to reject this motion and continue to support visible signs of love and inclusion. Let us not retreat into fear but instead move forward in the Spirit of Christ—who welcomed the stranger, embraced the marginalized, and called us into a radical love that leaves no one behind.

With deep love and solidarity to all Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ students, parents, teachers, and allies who are part of your school board,

 

Rev. Dr. Anne Anderson (ThirdSpace Community, Martin Luther University College)
Rev. Carla Blakley (Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Bishop)
Rev. Michiko Bown-Kai (Glen Morris United Church)
Pastor Melissa Burke (Elevation Church)
Rev. Sue Campbell (Trinity United Church)
Rev. Jennifer E. Canning (Peace United Church)
Rev. Gary Clark (Forest Hills United Church)
Adam Cresswell (The Hub Community Network, Executive Director)
Rev. Whitton Daley (Cedar Hill United Church)
Rev. Leanne Darlington (Trillium Lutheran Church)
Rev. Hugh Donnelly (Knox Presbyterian Church)
Rev. Gord Dunbar (Parkminster United Church, Supply Minister)
Laura Enns (Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church, Mission, Peace, and Justice Coordinator)
Rev. Chris Fickling (St. James’-Rosemount United Church)

Joan Grundy (Former Vice-Principal at St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Kitchener) 

Rev Mark Diller Harder (St. Jacobs Mennonite Church) 
Rev. Jennifer Irving (Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council of The United Church of Canada, President)
Rev. Dr. Orville James (Wellington Square United Church)
Rev. Hoeun Lee (First United Church)

Rev. Marty Levesque (All Saints Anglican Church & SideWalk Community Centre) 

Colleen Lowrie (Dublin Street United Church, Youth and Young Adult Leader)
Rev. David Malina (Christ Lutheran Church)
Nathan Mantey (Trillium Lutheran Church, Youth and Family Ministry Director)
Rev. Dr. Philip Mathai (Mount Zion Lutheran Church)
Rev. Gaylyn McLean (Forest United Church)
Bathany McMullen (Parkminster United Church, Youth Ministry Coordinator)
Rev. Carey Meadows-Helmer (St. Matthews Lutheran Church)
Rev. Sebastian Meadows-Helmer (St. Matthews Lutheran Church)
Rev. Joanna Miller (United in Faith Ministry: St. Matthew's Lutheran Conestogo, St. James Lutheran St. Jacobs, St. James Lutheran Elmira)
Dr. Kim Penner (Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church)
Pastor Glenda Ribey Rozomiak (Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church)
Rev. Jenny Sharp (Christ Church Anglican)
Rev. Brenda Torrie (Emmanuel United Church)
Pastor Devon Wagler (Elevation Church Waterloo)
Rev. Margaret Walker (St. George’s Anglican Church New Hamburg, Rector)
Rebecca Whiting (Westminster United Church, Student Minister)
Rev. Tanya Varner (Trinity Lutheran Church)