Oakland Catholic High School Swaps Pride Flags for New Inclusive Symbol

Bishop O’Dowd High School announced that the Pride and Progress flags displayed in classrooms will be removed for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year. In their place, a school-created “Inclusive O” logo—an oversized “O” splashed with the colors of the former flags—will appear throughout the campus. The decision follows a year-long dialogue with students, parents, and local stakeholders after the flags became a source of contention.

President Kim Walsh described the emblem as a uniquely O’Dowd symbol that affirms support for LGBTQ+ students, families, faculty, and staff. Supporters argue the change offers a unifying, school-specific icon rather than external political imagery, while some community members feel it erodes visible queer representation. An alumni-run Instagram account has called for a respectful response to the administration’s action.