Cambridge University’s fourth-oldest college has enraged left-wing activists after taking down the LGBT rainbow flag, citing concerns over “political neutrality.”
The Gonville and Caius College, originally founded in 1348, issued a statement in which it explained it would only fly its own flag above the college from now on in order to avoid the need to fly a multitude of different flags in solidarity with every political cause.
In a statement, the college said that while it remains “committed to improving diversity and eradicating discrimination,” it will only fly the college’s flag which it described as “a symbol which unites all in the Caius community.”
“Choosing to fly only the College flag avoids concerns regarding political neutrality and the difficulty of choosing between the plurality of good causes for which a flag could be flown,” the statement read.
The rainbow pride flag has over many decades become synonymous with the LGBT community, and had only just been raised above the college at the start of February to celebrate LGBT History Month.
The decision to lower the flag sparked outrage among members of the college’s LGBT community.
Masters student Natasha Naidu wrote: “Feeling betrayed to learn that the Caius College Council voted to ban the flying of any flag other than the college banner at Caius, just a day after the progressive pride flag was flown for the first time.”
PhD student Anthony Bridgen called it a “regressive decision” which is “symbolic of an entrenched, majority cis male, majority white, majority fusty fellowship who neither know nor want to know about the injustices faced by minorities.”
The master of the college, Professor Pippa Rogerson, insisted that the college remains firmly committed to being “a place where everyone feels welcome, and where everyone can thrive.
“It is incumbent on us all to make changes to improve diversity and eradicate discrimination and we are working as a community at Caius to support and boost representation,” Rogerson added.
