Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland will replace Pride and Progress flags with a school-designed emblem called the Inclusive O for the 2026–2027 year. President Kim Walsh says the symbol, which incorporates colors from both flags, reflects a yearlong consultation and affirms the school's support for LGBTQ+ students and families. Supporters call it a unifying, school-specific identity; critics, including an alumni Instagram account, say removing flags diminishes visible representation.
Bishop O'Dowd High School Replaces Pride Flags With School-Created 'Inclusive O' Ahead Of 2026–27 Year
An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Students wearing
Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland will retire classroom displays of Pride and Progress flags and install a school-designed emblem, the 'Inclusive O', across campus for the 2026–2027 academic year. School president Kim Walsh said the move follows a yearlong consultation with students, parents, alumni and staff and is intended to create a single, school-specific symbol of inclusion.
Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland will no longer display Pride or Progress flags on campus as the Catholic school begins the 2026-27 school year. Bishop O'Dowd High School
Design and intent
The alumni account urged members of the school community to "respectfully" email Walsh. Bishop O'Dowd High School
The new mark, dubbed the Inclusive O, features a large letter O brushed with colors drawn from both the Pride and Progress palettes. According to school leaders, the emblem was created to affirm the school's commitment to LGBTQ+ students, families, faculty and staff while giving the entire community one visual identity that belongs uniquely to Bishop O'Dowd.
President Kim Walsh says the new "Inclusive O" symbol affirms the school's support for LGBTQ+ students, families, faculty and staff. Facebook/Bishop O'Dowd High School
Why the change now
Walsh said the yearlong discussions ultimately led to the creation of the "Inclusive O."
School officials said the Pride and Progress flags had become a divisive issue last year and that the consultative process was launched to find a path forward. After yearlong conversations, leaders and supporters argued that a bespoke emblem avoids displaying outside political or social imagery on campus while still signaling the school's inclusive intentions.
Pope Leo XIV delivers the Angelus prayer from the entrance of the Apostolic Building in Castel Gandolfo. Evandro Inetti/ZUMA Press Wire / SplashNews.com
Supporters' perspective
The post argued that removing the flags "directly affects the LGBTQ+ population of the school by removing pieces of representation." Bishop O'Dowd High School
Supporters — including some parents and community members quoted by the school — said the Inclusive O offers a unifying identity that can represent every student. Some also framed the decision as more consistent with the school's Catholic values while remaining welcoming to all community members.
Criticism and concerns
"Removing the flags directly affects the LGBTQ+ population of the school by removing pieces of representation," an alumni Instagram account wrote, urging community members to respectfully contact President Walsh about the policy.
Alumni and other critics argue that taking down the flags reduces visible, recognizable representation for LGBTQ+ students and may undermine the sense of public affirmation those flags provided.
What happens next
The Inclusive O will be displayed campus-wide when students return for the 2026–2027 school year. The decision, framed by school leaders as a compromise born of extended consultation, has prompted mixed reactions and renewed conversation about symbols, inclusion, and expression at religiously affiliated schools.
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