Prayer vigil planned outside Redlands School Board meeting in support of LGBTQ+ students

REDLANDS, Calif. — Interfaith clergy, educators, students and community members will gather outside the Redlands Unified School District Board Room on Tuesday, June 10, for a prayer vigil in support of LGBTQ+ student rights.

The vigil will take place from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on the lawn at 25 W. Lugonia Ave., ahead of the school board’s regular meeting. Organized by Inland Empire Prism Collective (IEPC), the event is intended as a peaceful demonstration of solidarity in response to district policies that advocates say marginalize LGBTQ+ students.

Attendees plan to hold signs, offer prayers, and create what organizers described as “a prayerful presence to affirm every student’s right to feel safe, supported, and included at school.”

The vigil comes as the school board continues to adopt and advance a series of controversial policies:

• Resolution No. 43 (2024–25): Supporting Title IX and fairness in girls' interscholastic sports. Passed 3–2 in April 2025, the resolution urges state athletic governing bodies to ban transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports. Read more here
• AR 1312.2: Book policy. The proposed rules govern complaints about school library materials. The changes would create a separate process for reviewing books alleged to contain pornography or graphic sexual content, sending those cases directly to the school board. Critics argue the expanded criteria have been used disproportionately to target LGBTQ+ themes. Read more here.
• BP 6115: Flag policy. This proposed board policy limits campus flag displays to government flags only, with exceptions for college flags, championship and academic achievement flags and displays during instructional use. Supporters say it maintains classroom neutrality. Opponents argue it would ban Pride flags and other identity-based symbols. Read more here.

Faith leaders from multiple traditions will lead the vigil with prayers and reflections “that uplift the dignity and humanity of all students,” organizers said in a media release. Community members are encouraged to attend the vigil and stay for the public comment portion of the board meeting that follows.

 IECP is a grassroots LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. More information about the event and IEPC advocacy work can be found on the group’s social media pages.