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FROM BEING SEEN TO BEING SILENCED?
By, Michael Browning and Inform and Educate Team
Recently, a Pride flag was removed from Sonoma Valley High School without public discussion. After community members objected, it was restored. (See the story in the Sonoma Valley SUN: PRIDE Flag Removed at Sonoma High - Sonoma Valley Sun) For many LGBTQ students, the incident likely felt like more than a routine administrative decision. It raised a deeper question: is public visibility for LGBTQ people under threat? National trends suggest the concern is real. The American Civil Liberties Union is currently tracking more than 400 anti-LGBTQ bills across the United States in 2026. Many do not attempt to overturn marriage equality. Instead, they focus on limiting visibility—restricting what can be discussed in classrooms, weakening civil rights protections, and making it harder for transgender people to obtain accurate identification documents. A recent example comes from Kansas, where lawmakers overrode the governor’s veto to enact a law requiring driver’s licenses and birth certificates to reflect a person’s sex assigned at birth. Transgender residents must now obtain new identification documents reflecting that designation, at their own expense. Laws like this directly affect people’s ability to work, travel, and navigate everyday life—and they send a broader message that official recognition of someone’s identity can be withdrawn. After Stonewall, activists encouraged people to come out as a deliberate civil-rights strategy. Visibility made LGBTQ people real to neighbors, coworkers, and families. As familiarity grew, public support for equal treatment followed. Today, many political efforts move in the opposite direction—reducing the spaces where LGBTQ identities can be openly acknowledged, particularly in schools and public institutions. That is why moments like the Pride flag debate matter. Visibility is not merely symbolic; it helps sustain the everyday familiarity that protects civil liberties. Sonoma County has a long tradition of civic engagement. Maintaining transparent decision-making in public institutions, participating in school board discussions, and supporting organizations that serve LGBTQ youth are practical ways communities can ensure that being seen—and respected—remains part of public life. Read more about this and how to help counteract it, in our blog.
From Being Seen to Being Silenced?
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Also of note, is the Press Release put out by new Superintendant Jason Suttor on this topic. You can read the press release here:
SVHS Pride - What's Happening Now? Comment from Lisa Storment, president Wake UP Sonoma.
After noticing that there was no item on the School Board Agenda for this Thursday March 12, as we had been told - I wrote a letter to Superintendent Sutter inquiring about it, see my excerpt below:
"As I look at the agenda for this coming Thursday, I see nowhere on the agenda the issue having to do with the removal of the flag after weeks of 'threats' that it would show up for a decision and a vote on March 12. The students and parents who were harmed by this action, have had to wheedle their way into public comments at the last board meeting, and then some of them waited until nearly midnight to have their say at the end of the night. This is not right, and I hope I don't have to tell you why. " When do these students get their time to let their feelings not only known, but also seen and acknowledged? After all of this build up, it's nowhere to be seen on the agenda. If the decision has been made to leave the issue alone and no longer threaten the visibility of these students by leaving the flag to fly, then make that known publicly. But, to just remain silent is not just or respectful." His response was as follows - "I especially appreciate you raising the question about when the flag issue will be addressed by the Board. After reading your email, I recognized that we should communicate more clearly with the community about the timeline. We will be sharing a brief press release with our community list to explain that the Board is expected to take up this topic in June. That timeline will allow me time to learn more about the history of the flagpole at Sonoma Valley High School, review relevant policies, and gather input from students to help inform the Board’s discussion."
While his response was prompt and shows that he will put some forethought into the issue - something sorely needed, I am cautious, but hope I am wrong. I hope he is not looking for a way to justify the removal or restricting of the Pride Flag. Lets see what happens, but we must stay alert. I find it a great opportunity, and also interesting, that he will be addressing this in June which is Pride month. Notably, it is also a month when the students are not in session, thus making it harder for them to organize. I have no doubt this will not stop them however.
Wake UP Sonoma has requested a meeting with Superintendent Suttor, and we look forward to further discussing this issue with him, among other concerns. He was positively responsive to the idea, and we look forward to that meeting. We hope to be able to build bridges towards a more equitable future in the Sonoma Valley Unified School District.
NOTE: STUDENTS FROM THE GSA at SVHS are still showing up at the Board Meeting on Thursday March 12th to continue to be seen, and to note that this issue SHOULD NOT BE an issue of contention. Show up for them and continue to support!
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