Florida's so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill may have officially been signed into law by far-right Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, but one LGBTQ+ high schooler is not taking it sitting down. They're "saying gay anyway," over and over and over again.
Will Larkins, a gay and nonbinary high school junior in Winter Park, Florida decided to fight the law by giving a presentation to their U.S. History class about the LGBTQ+ history--a presentation that could now be construed as illegal in the state.
Larkins told their class about the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, a watershed in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, and video of the talk is now going viral.
See their presentation below.
LGBTQ American history is not taught in Floridas public schools, so I took it upon myself to explain the events of the Stonewall Uprising to my 4th period US history class. #SayGayAnywaypic.twitter.com/A73TKPlWXF— Will Larkins (@Will Larkins) 1649008560
Larkins gave their Twitter post a poignant caption that says it all:
"LGBTQ American history is not taught in Florida's public schools, so I took it upon myself to explain the events of the Stonewall Uprising to my 4th period US history class."
They then hashtagged the post with #SayGayAnyway.
The Florida legislation, called the Parental Rights in Education bill, has become known as the "Don't Say Gay" bill because it prohibits discussion and instruction of gender and sexuality in kindergarten through third grade "or in a manner that is not age...or developmentally appropriate."
But since neither "discussion," "instruction," nor "age...or developmentally appropriate" are defined in the bill, its vague wording opens even children to lawsuits should they mention their same-sex parents, for example.
The bill also requires school staff members to out LGBTQ+ students to their parents, and allows parents to file lawsuits without having to prove the bill's rules were even violated, among myriad other dystopically dangerous provisions.
Nevertheless, advocates of the bill insist its purpose is to protect children from groomers and pedophiles—a thinly veiled dog-whistle to adherents of the QAnon conspiracy theory, who believe the Democratic Party and U.S. government are run by Satan-worshiping pedophiles.
Even Larkins has been subjected to this unhinged, homophobic and transphobic hysteria. As they addressed in a follow-up tweet, conservatives accused them—a child themself—of being a pedophile because of their Stonewall presentation.
I\u2019m a 17 year old highschool junior teaching a historical event to my classmates. We have learned much more intense history in this class. How are y\u2019all calling me a groomer and a pedo rn. Stop sexualizing and harassing minors like me.— Will Larkins (@Will Larkins) 1649017481
Speaking to The Washington Post, Larkins described a climate in their school that makes it easy to see why the legislation easily passed in the state. Larkins' U.S. history teacher had never even heard of the Stonewall Uprising, let alone their fellow students.
On Twitter, many praised Larkins for bravely and outspokenly refusing to be beholden to the new legislation.
Good for you, Will, for standing your ground. Ironically, it is clear that words scare some folks more than guns when it comes to standing up for oneself. We need to keep all history alive. I'm proud of you!— Thomas wilczak (@Thomas wilczak) 1649281623
The courage of a student in Floridahttps://twitter.com/ProudTwinkie/status/1510677510530420742\u00a0\u2026— Maureen Moore (@Maureen Moore) 1649275982
Wel done! Don\u2019t let the homophobes get you down. Instablock and move on. Keep on spreading your knowledge because your peers are depending on you, especially those too scared to do what you\u2019re doing. #SayGayAnyway— Sharon \ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddea (@Sharon \ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddea) 1649026379
Congratulations on your presentation on the Stonewall rebellion.pic.twitter.com/lIjrXKieuY— bungalow3500 (John)\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 (@bungalow3500 (John)\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08) 1649027875
The kids are alright.\n\nY'all are special.https://twitter.com/ProudTwinkie/status/1510677510530420742\u00a0\u2026— Brian Thee Aspie (@Brian Thee Aspie) 1649280034
I'm glad something like this is happening in schools. I would've loved learning about the lgbt history in school instead of 10 years after I left. Good on you bud!https://twitter.com/ProudTwinkie/status/1510677510530420742\u00a0\u2026— Lady FLiX Ponyton (@Lady FLiX Ponyton) 1649053812
As a teacher, I love what you did and that your teacher gave you the space to do it.— No One Here Gets Out Alive (@No One Here Gets Out Alive) 1649020251
Thank you Will for having the courage to stand up to haters and bullies as well as the knowledge of our history to share with others. Bravo, from Austin Texas!!! You are not alone!!— LGPOA-Austin (@LGPOA-Austin) 1649291837
Proud of you. Keep it up. Many of us have your back.— Alessandra Biaggi (@Alessandra Biaggi) 1649035483
Say gay anyway!https://twitter.com/ProudTwinkie/status/1510677510530420742\u00a0\u2026— Nathan J (@Nathan J) 1649073966
Larkins' lesson on Stonewall is just the latest way they've opposed the new legislation, having previously written an op-ed about it to The New York Times, testifying before the Florida state Senate and organizing a school walk-out.
