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5h ago

Boston University Pauses Outward-Facing Sign Removals After Pride Flag Dispute

Gilliam’s apology signals a shift toward talks on BU’s signage rules following protests over removed Pride flags.

Jennifer Snyder-Cappione, an assistant professor of immunology at Boston University, holds a copy of a petition during a rally outside President Melissa Gilliam’s office in Boston, Thursday, April 2, 2026, calling on the university to reconsider a signage policy that has led to the removal of Pride flags from outward-facing windows.
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Overview

  • President Melissa Gilliam, who paused enforcement Monday, apologized for the policy’s disproportionate impact on LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, and staff.
  • The rule at issue sits in BU’s Events and Demonstrations policy and bars outward-facing items from being fixed to university property such as windows, doors, walls, or furniture.
  • Pride flags were taken down from multiple office windows, which set off rallies, a faculty-led petition with more than 2,200 signatures, and public pressure from alumni and advocates.
  • Free speech group FIRE praised the pause and urged BU to allow varied flags in office windows, while faculty leaders warned a temporary halt is not a lasting fix.
  • BU updated the time, place, and manner policy in September 2024, and earlier enforcement also removed signs supporting detained students, which is why many now want permanent revisions and shared governance in rulemaking.