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Bishops Diocesan College, a top all-boys school in Cape Town, has defended its decision to fly a Pride flag in support of the LGBTQ community after a committee of alumni called for it to be removed. The Old Diocesan Committee (ODC) had called for the Pride flag to be replaced with a more 'neutral' one, but the school has refused.

The ODC has been at the centre of the controversy after it called for the removal of the Pride flag. The committee argued that the flag was a divisive symbol that did not represent the views of all alumni. Bishops Diocesan College has made headlines after actor and comedian Anton Taylor, a former Bishops Diocesan College alumnus, challenged the committee's stance. Taylor has threatened to name and shame the committee members, saying they must change their views.

Taylor is not the only one who has defended the school's decision. Conrad Koch, a puppeteer and comedian, has also backed Taylor's stance, saying that the school had shamed him over his non-traditional interests.

The matter has sparked a fierce backlash on social media, with many people defending the school's decision. Carscott76, a proud alumnus, said that the committee's stance was disappointing and that the Pride flag was a small but significant gesture that showed the school's support for the LGBTQ community.

Meanwhile, an advocacy group – Supporting a Progressive Bishops – has emerged amid the backlash of the Pride flag debate. The group is made up of fellow alumni and friends of the school and has over 300 recorded signatures from its supporters, including 17 staff members and 16 anonymous current students.

For several years, Bishops has flown the Pride flag for a few days each Pride Month.

It is a small and gentle gesture, and its meaning is simple: that the LGBT+ members of the Bishops community, and especially the boys in the school’s own care, are as welcome, as valued and as safe here as anyone else.

We support the school’s freedom to make that gesture, and we hope it will continue. We say so gladly, and on firm ground.

The debate has sparked a wider conversation about the role of schools in supporting LGBTQ youth. While some have defended the school's decision, others have called for greater action to be taken to support LGBTQ students.

Supporting a Progressive Bishops shared a post on Instagram, which has received widespread support. The group's post stated: 'For several years, Bishops has flown the Pride flag for a few days each Pride Month. It is a small and gentle gesture, and its meaning is simple: that the LGBT+ members of the Bishops community, and especially the boys in the school’s own care, are as welcome, as valued and as safe here as anyone else. We support the school’s freedom to make that gesture, and we hope it will continue. We say so gladly, and on firm ground.'