“There are going to be so many kids with curly hair who need a community like Pine View and they will not have one. Instead, they’ll try to fix themselves so that they can exist in Florida’s humid climate.”
Florida High School Class President Zander Moricz’ graduation speech was threatened to be cut short if he said “gay”—so he replaced it with the phrase “having curly hair.”
Zander’s the real life consequences of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill in action. The inability of saying “gay” threatens to unravel LGBTQ+ progress in schools, making the very place where kids go to get an education a dangerous, discriminatory environment for all.
John, no one should be forced to hide who they are or refrain from talking about it. We are witnessing first-hand the attempted erasure of LGBTQ+ identity and culture—but also the power of student leaders in challenging these harmful policies.
We must stand in solidarity with Florida's youth. Because no student’s rights should depend on their zip code.
Together,
Melanie Willingham-Jaggers
Executive Director
Pronouns: She, Her, Hers/They, Them, Theirs
PS: LGBTQ+ students already face disproportionate levels of discrimination, harassment, and assault—posing a very real danger to their mental health and, ultimately, their lives. How can we stand by while politicians work to reverse years of progress?
