A child's celebratory LGBTQ+ flag was removed from a classroom after an administrator reportedly compared it to a Nazi flag.
Administrators at Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School in Clarke County, Georgia, took down the piece of rainbow artwork after a parent reportedly complained about it.
However, teachers and parents alike have both since spoken out against the decision, branding it an act of discrimination.
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The artwork features the image of a rainbow alongside the words 'Gay is OK', LGBTQNation reports.
However, a parent reportedly complained about the artwork, and one of the administrators who had it removed allegedly told the teacher that displaying such a piece of art in the classroom was equivalent to hanging a Nazi flag.
In response to the backlash the school has subsequently faced as a result of the administrators' decision to remove the art, a statement was released anonymously by a teacher to local news station WXIA.
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The statement read: 'On behalf of a majority of the staff at Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School, we are disheartened that these words and actions have happened in our school building during this time. This does not represent why we chose this profession, and it does not represent the feelings, beliefs, values, and attributes our amazing school family has within these four walls.'
The teacher also expressed a sadness that the school had not tried to resolve the issue or 'rectify the divide that has been caused'.
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'We will continue to seek resolution and promote a community of love, acceptance, and tolerance within our building and community,' the statement concluded.
However, this is reportedly not the first time that the school's administration has exhibited discriminatory behaviour.
Jemelleh Coes, a parent of a child who attends Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School claimed, 'There are ongoing complaints about this current administration being discriminatory against women, being discriminatory against LGBTQ people, being discriminatory against English language learners or emerging bilinguals, emerging multilingual and Spanish speakers. So we have seen a pattern of inequity at our school and we have been asking for support at this point for years.'
The latest incident has left other parents worried about the messages that could be internalised by their children.
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Gee Campbell, who identifies as non-binary and transmasculine, and has been a part of the school community for 'four years', said, 'My experiences with the teachers in regards to my transitioning have always been positive and respectful. My daughter is in this classroom and my immediate thought was ‘What message does this give my daughter about her family?''
The incident is currently under investigation by the school district, who said they 'condemn this comparison [to Nazi symbolism] and discrimination in all its forms'.
'The Clarke County School District embraces diversity and inclusion for all students and staff. We stand with our LGBTQIA+ community and are dedicated to proving our commitment to diversity and inclusion. To that end, we will continue having sensitive and appropriate conversations with our school communities,' it added.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the LGBT Foundation on 0345 3 30 30 30, 10am–6pm Monday to Friday, or email
Poppy Bilderbeck