A Regina-based pride advocacy group has come forward with a petition asking Regina Public School Board chair Katherine Gagne to step down.

This comes after last month’s school board decision to vote down the pride motion that would have seen the school division celebrate LGBTQ2S+ students that has sparked concern, anger and frustration from many people, including students, teachers and the pride community.

Queen City For All spokesperson Eric Bell said the petition, which was signed by more than 5,000 people, was meant to send a message.

“They need to know the actions that the ones who voted against it, including Katherine Gagne, the chairperson who is ultimately responsible for the defeat of this motion, need to do something about it and they need to act now because people are upset and they have done a lot of damage to the reputation of the school board.”

While Gagne has said her decision to vote against the pride motion came because of a wording issue, Bell said he doesn’t hold stock in that answer.

“The reality is that this motion was put forward in June, the board had four months to discuss it and come up with amendment or compromise to make it a wording they liked,” Bell said. “They didn’t do it, and they defeated the motion and created a huge mess as a result.”

Bell said there are several things the division can do to fix this issue and celebrate pride.

“If they want to bring in diverse speakers, trans people, bi-people, if they want to have drag queen story time, I think that is all awesome stuff that our schools should be doing,” Bell said. “Just celebrating diversity and inclusivity in our schools and our city.”

During Tuesday nigh’s school board meeting, Gagne apologized to those in attendance on behalf of the board, and added the decision will be reviewed and brought back to the school board at a later date.