Pajaro Valley Unified School District students and other young people raised the Progress Flag Friday during a ceremony at the district’s headquarters in Watsonville.Â
The event—attended by roughly 60 people, including PVUSD Board President Jennifer Holm and Vice-President Jennifer Schacher—was one of several flag-raising ceremonies at PVUSD facilities and schools Friday. E.A. Hall Middle School and Pajaro Valley High School also raised the Progress Flag Friday.
The Progress Flag is a rainbow flag that also incorporates brown and black stripes to represent Black and Indigenous people of color within the queer community, and pink, blue and white stripes to represent transgender youth.
The event was made possible by a Feb. 24 PVUSD Board of Trustees resolution aimed to promote awareness and understanding of issues faced by LGBTQ+ children and youth. It kicked off the regular use of the flag on certain occasions throughout the year: Harvey Milk Day on May 22, during the month of June for Pride Month, and on Oct. 11 for National Coming Out Day.
PVUSD joined several other districts across Santa Cruz County in raising the flag.
PVUSD live-streamed the event at district headquarters.
