Caius has not flown the Pride flag this month, after a student vote on the issue failed to achieve the necessary turnout.

In November, a vote was opened to all students, to determine whether the Progress Pride flag would be flown at the College’s main site on 1 February, to mark the first day of LGBT+ History Month, and on 1 June, for the first day of Pride Month.

Both proposals failed to pass, despite the majority of those who voted supporting the flying of the flags. 296 total votes were required for the proposals to pass, but only 259 students voted in each case.

200 voted in favour of flying the flag on 1 February, while 39 voted against, and 20 abstained. Similarly, 205 voted in favour of flying the flag on 1 June, compared to 38 votes against and 16 abstentions.

The flying of flags other than the College flag has been a significant source of contention at Caius in recent years. In 2022, the Gonville and Caius Student Union (GCSU) published an open letter, signed by hundreds of students, criticising the College for its decision to take down the Pride flag two days into LGBT+ History Month.

The decision followed a general meeting of fellows, in which it was agreed that the flying of any flag other than the College flag would be banned. This was quickly reversed, following the backlash from students and staff, including the Senior Tutor.

In the aftermath, it was agreed that the flying of other flags would be subject to a student vote each year. Flying of the Progress Pride flag in February and June would require a vote in favour from students, with at least 33% turnout across the student body.

All other flags require a petition signed by at least 100 Caius students, with a limit of one student flag being approved each academic year. The total number of ‘student flag days’ is capped at six per year.

Caius students voted to accept these proposals in 2025, including a ban on the flying of national and territorial flags.

The Pride Flag was not flown in 2023, despite students voting in favour, due to low turnout. In 2024, students voted to fly the Progress Pride flag, the Tibetan flag, the Welsh national flag, and the Irish flag. The flying of the Transgender Pride flag was also proposed, but failed to pass, again due to low turnout.

One Caius student told Varsity: “Although the College’s decision not to fly the Pride flag this month is in line with the agreed-upon policy, Caius’ decision to ignore the overwhelming enthusiasm in favour of flying the flag among those who voted is telling of the College’s attitude towards its queer students.

“An updated policy is needed to ensure the majority of votes are represented in the decision to fly the flag or not, rather than relying on technicalities which act in favour of the minority.”

A Gonville & Caius College spokesperson said: “The Student Flag Day Policy was proposed by and agreed with students. The democratic threshold for flying the Progress Pride Flag was not achieved for 2026.”