Catholic High School Replaces Pride Flags with New 'Inclusive O' Symbol to Affirm LGBTQ+ Students
Bishop O’Dowd High School, a Catholic institution in Oakland, California, has introduced a new symbol called the 'Inclusive O' to represent its commitment to LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff. This development follows the school's decision to remove all Pride flags at the end of the previous academic year, a move that occurred without explanation from the administration but was reportedly influenced by the diocese. The 'Inclusive O' is a blocky letter 'O' filled with watercolor-like splotches that incorporate colors from the Progress Pride flag, aiming to visibly communicate that 'every student belongs' without the 'political' connotations associated with the traditional Pride flag. School president Kim Walsh stated that Pride and Progress flags have become a 'lightning rod' within the Catholic Church in the U.S., and the new symbol is an attempt to navigate these tensions while upholding Catholic values and caring for students. 
