Content note: Contains discussion of homophobia and brief mention of racism

When I saw the Instagram stories and articles about Caius’ decision to not fly the pride flag, I had the same reaction as a lot of people. As a gay man and person of colour, I instinctively felt upset and defensive. As I’ve contemplated the situation more, however, my perception has changed from seeing Caius’ action as discriminatory to seeing it as a position of neutrality. This issue is more complex than saying Caius is an anti-LGBT institution. When it comes to how best to support the LGBT community, there needs to be a wider conversation about actions, which have greater impact than a flag waving in the wind.

“Other students can show far more support for the LGBT community than one flag flown ever could”

Caius stated that: “The College flag is a symbol which unites all in the Caius community. Choosing to only fly the College flag avoids concerns regarding political neutrality, and the difficulty of choosing between the plurality of good causes for which a flag could be flown”. I can see how many interpret this action as conveying a negative attitude towards the LGBT community, especially since this decision was communicated during LGBT history month, which was not good timing on the college’s part. However, the college also made the decision to allow students to display any flag in their room or externally (e.g., on windows or doors), which gives students the freedom to express their support for the LGBT community. Students showing their support more actively, personally, and throughout the college, demonstrates far more support for the LGBT community than one flag flown by the college ever could.

When it comes to visibility, the college also stated that “Flags flown to express opinions about causes and issues, have the potential to divide us. All of us are Caians, so the College flag speaks for all of us. No other flag does”. It is sensible for an institution, especially an educational one, to not pick and choose certain groups, movements, or causes because once they choose to fly some flags, and not others, other groups feel left out, and this leads to a contentious environment. As long as Caius in practice is consistent with their decision to exclusively fly the college flag, they are not discriminating against any group.

Some have said that not displaying the pride flag sends a message that some in the college are not accepting of LGBT people or their rights. This stance fails to take into account that there likely are people who don’t support LGBT people in the college. Those people will be there whether or not a rainbow flag is flying above Caius. The true work that will help LGBT people feel welcome, and educate those who want to know more about the community, is done tirelessly by the JCRs and MCRs of this University, because this directly impacts the student body.

Another point that’s been made is that not flying a flag somehow takes away rights, and fails to honour those in the LGBT community, and that as LGBT students we deserve to have the flag up because we have earned our spot here. But how does flying a flag protect and honour one’s rights? A flag is a symbol, it doesn’t give people rights. The only thing that can do that is the law. This raises a bigger issue about why it’s only the LGBT community that gets a flag. People of colour and women are traditionally oppressed groups too. The absence of a Black Lives Matter flag or a flag in support of women does not directly equate to a lack of support for these groups. As a queer person of colour, I have experienced discrimination for many years, and a flag representing my ethnic groups will never change that. Similarly, having the pride flag displayed will not do anything to solve the problems of anti-LGBT discrimination for me.

“Without advocacy, a flag means nothing”

When it comes to the display of the flag itself, there is a dichotomy between how people within the LGBT community may actually feel, and the perceived reaction to the symbol. I remember my high school flying the flag in June, before I was out. I didn’t know what to make of it, to be honest. There was no significant action being taken by my school to make the place more diverse, so in the end, the flag didn’t mean anything to me. As such, it’s the action, welfare, and outreach provided by the JCR and wider community, and not the flag, that provides the visibility and support for those who are struggling, or just need a space to figure out who they are, because without this advocacy, a flag means nothing.

I appreciate the fact that people are in different places when it comes to Caius’ decision. I think a respectful discourse on issues like this is beneficial, and we are all so fortunate to be at an institution that welcomes and facilitates these exchanges, because not everyone, especially those in the LGBT community, has the opportunity to even talk about their expression of identity .

If you are against the decision made by Caius, I’d encourage you to ask yourself some questions to further explore your stance. Have your rights been violated by the decision? Has the college actively stopped you from representing your identity proudly? Has the college put actions in place that actively hinder the support systems and welfare provided to the JCR and wider student body? As LGBT people, we don’t need special treatment from anyone; we seek an equal and respected place in society. Flying a flag that rises and falls at the wind’s whims will not achieve this goal, our engagement and support of each other will.