For the first time, the transgender pride flag is flying at the Lakehead Public School Board office.

The flag has been on display already, but officials commemorated the flag raising on Friday at the Jim McCuaig Education Centre.

Board Chair Ellen Chambers says for her, raising it alongside the rainbow flag is about supporting the students who may not feel safe to come out to their parents.

She says it’s important “for a public school and a public school system to make these overt flag-raisings and celebrations in school.”

“Sometimes, school is the only safe place for some kids.”

Chambers says this shows the board is no longer going to remain silent about supporting transgender students and staff.

Thunder Pride Director-at-Large Alisha Gosselin-Quick agrees, calling it heartwarming and encouraging.

They feel this gives 2SLGBTQ+ students a more supportive environment than they saw during their own school days.

“It’ll never be a question of acceptance, they’ll know that they’re accepted, and it shows the [Board’s] support. And this is just the beginning, honestly,” they point out.

Gosselin-Quick admits that the trans and rainbow flags won’t necessarily stop bullying in schools, but it will show students that there’s someone to turn to.

Rainbow Collective President Jason Veltri is looking to what comes next, noting the flag is an important symbol, but a symbol nonetheless.

“An educated community is the most powerful thing you can have, so the more we educate around queer, trans, and Two-Spirit issues, the better and more inclusive our community gets,” Veltri says.

Veltri adds he would like to see the community shift toward using the Progress Pride flag, which features the colours of the rainbow and transgender flags along with black and brown to represent LGBTQ+ People of Colour and Indigenous people.