Bishop O’Dowd High School replaces Pride flags with new symbol

Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland has replaced Pride and Progress flags on its campus with a new symbol called the ‘Inclusive O.’ The new design features a rainbow-colored, watercolor-style version of the school’s official letter ‘O’ to signify that LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and families are welcome and belong at the institution.

The change follows a request from the Diocese of Oakland to remove the traditional Pride flags. The directive reportedly came after a community member reported a Progress Pride flag to Oakland Bishop Michael Barber. The school’s president, Kim Walsh, noted that the flags had become a ‘lightning rod’ during the previous academic year.

The development of the ‘Inclusive O’ involved input from students, parents, faculty, counselors, and members of the Board of Regents. While the symbol incorporates colors from the Pride flags, it serves as a school-branded alternative to the previous displays.