‘Straight Pride’ Shirt Suspension at N.B. School Sparks Petition and Political Debate

A Grade 10 student was suspended for wearing a “straight pride” shirt during Pride Week at Belleisle Regional High.
What started as a school decision has now sparked community backlash, a growing petition, and political attention across New Brunswick.

What Led to the Suspension?

Jaxon McDonald, a student at Belleisle, wore a shirt with the phrase “straight pride” during a Pride Week event focused on inclusivity. He said the intent wasn’t to offend but to express his identity. “I wanted to feel included,” Jaxon explained, noting the theme encouraged students to show who they are.

School officials allegedly called the shirt a “hate crime” before suspending the student for five days, said his father, Rob McDonald. The school district denies using that term and disputes claims made in a 390-signature petition now in the legislature.

Community Pushback and Petition

The petition calls for Belleisle’s principal to resign, pointing to Jaxon’s suspension and claims that staff removed students who opted out of a Pride event. One student allegedly hid in a bathroom to avoid it.

Rob McDonald, a longtime school volunteer, said the school barred him from helping that same day, which he believes was an act of retaliation.

School District Responds

The Anglophone South School District rejected the petition’s claims, calling it a “bad faith campaign.” They say it misuses human rights and free expression language to push anti-2SLGBTQ+ views.

The district said no one was suspended for a hate crime and challenged the petition’s accuracy.

Political and Legal Reactions

Kings Centre PC MLA Bill Oliver, along with two other Progressive Conservative MLAs, supported and tabled the petition. While Oliver avoided stating whether the shirt itself was offensive, he emphasized community concern over the school’s handling of the situation—not just the content of the shirt.

Education Minister Claire Johnson called the incident a chance to discuss how schools can remain safe spaces. She said that wearing a “straight pride” shirt is “problematic” but didn’t say whether the school acted correctly.

Constitutional law expert Kerri Froc clarified that wearing a “straight pride” shirt likely doesn’t meet the threshold of hate speech under Canadian law. However, she said schools must balance free expression with student safety, and context matters—especially if prior incidents of anti-2SLGBTQ+ behavior exist.

The Deeper Conversation

For Annabelle Babineu, a 2SLGBTQ+ artist and educator, the issue goes beyond one shirt. “Pride is a protest,” she said. “It’s about reclaiming dignity in the face of hate. That’s why we need it. It’s not just a celebration—it’s survival.”

The Child and Youth Advocate is now reviewing the case, though the office declined to confirm any formal investigation.

Should schools allow any form of personal expression during Pride events, or should there be clearer boundaries for what’s appropriate?

More…

• https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/straight-pride-shirt-school-suspension-1.7546108
• https://globalnews.ca/video/11201838/nb-pc-party-defending-petition-that-alleges-student-wearing-a-straight-pride-shirt-was-discriminated
• https://ca.news.yahoo.com/parents-school-district-odds-over-202041795.html