UNB, St. Thomas University lower Pride flags to half-mast

University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University have lowered their Pride flags to half-mast in a show of support for those killed and wounded in Orlando this weekend.

It came about afterFredericton student group Spectrum made the request.

Spectrum, a LGBTQIA+ community group which has operated for almost 30 years, asked for the campusesto show support by keeping the Pride flags at half-mast from June 13 to June 17.

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John Staples, the president of Spectrum, emailed the request out to the student unions, the university presidents, the mayor of Fredericton and city council, as well as the Premier Brian Gallant. and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

At the end of those emails, he still wasn't "sure that's enough."

"Just to see the families that were broken and devastated by this tragedy and thinking 'that could be me'," said Staples.

Both universities told Staples that they will be flying the Pride flag at half-mast.

"I think it's very important as a community, as a demographic, to show solidarity with those who have been discriminated against and who are victims in this tragedy," said Staples.

Jeffrey Carleton, the communications director at St. Thomas University, said the university was already considering flying the Pride flag at half-mast for the upcoming week, when they received Staples' request.

"We've flown the Pride flag before in celebration and now we're showing it as a mark of respect and solidarity, so the Pride flag will be half-mast at St. Thomas University for the rest of the week," Carleton said.

NatashaAshfield, acommunications officer at UNB, also said the university would lower the Pride flag.

"The Pride flags will be flying at half-mast on both our campuses [Fredericton and Saint John]this week as a symbol of solidarity, strength and support for our neighbours and members of the LGBTQ+ community around the world who have felt the impact of the tragic shootings in Orlando," Ashfield said.