High school students in St. Andrews, N.B. are speaking out after administrators took down their gay pride flag.

The rainbow flag flew outside Sir James Dunn Academy for more than three years.

The pride flag was first raised three and a half years ago to show solidarity for a gay student who was being bullied.

A single complaint from the public was all it took to have it removed. The decision upset many of the students.

"It shows that we welcome and that we accept and that people shouldn't have to hide because it's a beautiful thing," said student Jade Frost.

"It sends a message and it kind of empowers those people who are against us and who are homophobic. I'm sure for those people it probably feels like a victory that we can't fly the pride flag," said student Liz Matheson.

The students spent the past four and a half months trying to get their flag back. It culminated in a meeting last week with education officials, including Zoe Watson, the school district’s superintendent.

"The students feel very passionate about this. I found it good to go and meet with them," she said.

Watson said upon receiving the complaint, district officials dug out the province's rules for public buildings. Those rules permit only four flags: Canada, New Brunswick, Acadia, and the Queen’s Jubilee.

Spokespeople from the Department of Education could not be reached for comment.