Sarasota’s LGBTQ+ Community Organizes ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill Protest At Ringling Bridge

SARASOTA, FL — As a proposed Florida law that would limit discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in elementary schools moves forward, Sarasota’s LGBTQ+ community will rally against the controversial bill Sunday afternoon.

The state House of Representatives passed HB 1557, dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, on Thursday. Initially, it was passed by the House Education and Employment Committee in January and by the House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 17. A companion bill has also been introduced in the state Senate.

If it’s signed into law, the "Don't Say Gay" measure would limit how LGBTQ topics can be discussed by both younger students and those in older grades. It also opens the doors for parents to sue Florida schools if these discussions take place, and it requires schools to alert parents if there's any change to a student's mental, emotional or physical health.

Organized by Project Pride SRQ and Equality Florida, the Emergency Say Gay Rally will take place Sunday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at John Ringling Bridge. Attendees will unveil Project Pride’s 700-foot Progress Pride flag — the largest in the world — across the bridge and will say “gay” aloud and together, according to a Project Pride newsletter. Several local leaders will also speak at the event.

Dorian Carter, a 16-year-old Pine View School student, said they’re watching the bill’s movement carefully.

“Limiting teachers talking about the LGBTQ community would set us back considerably with being seen in the classroom. All around it’s harmful,” they said.

They’re especially concerned about some of their friends who are only comfortable being out at school.

“A lot of my friends are in the closet at home ... A number of them have dangerous home lives. If something like this is passed, it’s dangerous for them. It’s directly harmful,” Dorian said. “Many of us are under 18 and we wish there was more we can do. We don’t have the power to vote against these politicians trying to pass these laws. And children are the ones being directly affected.”

Jonathan Lee, a 19-year-old New College of Florida student from Chicago, is also wary of the bill.

“I say this as someone who is learning in Florida, who has opted to choose Florida to get their education,” he said. “I’m a firm believer in representation of anyone and everyone throughout history. Gay history is history. They cannot deny that there have been several events in the community that have had a profound impact on history. Education wise, if we’re not allowed to talk about these events, then a huge amount of history is going to wind up not being taught.”

Lee knows firsthand what it’s like to be forced to repress identity and expression as a high school student. While attending a military academy in Illinois, he “was not allowed to express (his) gender differently than the traditional male female sense,” he said.

Lee added, “I felt incredibly confused. My depression was pretty much the worst it had been. At that point, I didn’t have any avenues to express myself and couldn’t talk to anyone.”

His English teacher was his “escape.” She was open-minded and accepting. And he recalls how impactful it was learning about New York City’s 1969 Stonewall uprising in class.

“It was amazing seeing myself represented in history. I felt seen,” he said.

Sarasota’s LGBTQ+ leaders also have concerns about the impact the bill could have on students in the area.

Jordan Letschert, co-founder of Project Pride, said anywhere from 42 to 52 percent of LGBTQ youth — “a staggering statistic” — are already at a higher risk of suicide. The “Don’t Say Gay” bill, if passed, would cause even more harm for these students, he said, noting that many LGBTQ youth don’t have families that support who they are, making school their only outlet for “becoming their authentic selves.”

“You’re taking the place where they’re awake the most — they’re in school for eight hours a day — and not allowing them to be their true, authentic selves. They can’t engage with their teachers — they could get sued — and you’re taking away a safe space,” he said. “We’re asking too much of our kids. We’re asking them to learn about active shooters and hiding in classrooms. We’re asking them to protect themselves in ways we didn’t have to 30 years ago. And now we’re asking them not to be their true, authentic selves.”

The bill could also prevent students with same-sex parents — like his own child — from talking about their families in the classroom, Letschert added.

Sarasota County Schools board member, Tom Edwards, who is part of the LGBTQ+ community, will speak at Sunday’s rally.

“It’s not a happy occasion, certainly. Last week, we had folks out at Bayfront Park stopping the hate and antisemitism and a week later, we have to be out defending LGBTQ rights,” he said. “It’s not a happy time in our country, in our state, in Sarasota.”

While he doesn’t take the bill personally, Edwards is “most concerned about our LGBTQ students and families.”

He added, “It’s a much bigger, hate-filled era. I think everyone is being attacked: women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, antisemitism, CRT (critical race theory) that is a dog whistle for racism. You just name it. Who’s next?”

The school board member said he’s impressed by the support he sees for LGBTQ families and students in Sarasota, though.

“As a school board member, I've had a front row seat of a lot of hateful rhetoric, but it's comforting to know that that is the minority in our community and doesn’t represent the community,” he said. “Because I get so much more positive feedback from loving, caring students, families and citizens.”