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Zander Moricz, a high school senior who is the class president of Pine View School in Osprey, Florida says the school principal threatened to cut his mic if he brought up his LGBTQ+ activism in his graduation speech.
Moricz, who is the first out LGBTQ+ student in his school's history to hold the title of class president, says he knew when he was called into the principal's office "this wasn’t a typical meeting.”
According to Moricz, Stephen Covert, the school's principal, "said that he just ‘wanted families to have a good day’ and that if I was to discuss who I am and the fight to be who I am, that would ‘sour the celebration'."
The "dehumanizing" experience caught nationwide attention after Moricz talked about it on his Twitter account.
A few days ago, my principal called me into his office and informed me that if my graduation speech referenced my activism or role as a plaintiff in the lawsuit, school administration had a signal to cut off my microphone, end my speech, and halt the ceremony. (2/8)— zander moricz (@zander moricz) 1652137218
Moricz said the threat "is not the first that I have received from [the] administration about my queer rights."
I am the first openly-gay Class President in my school\u2019s history\u2013this censorship seems to show that they want me to be the last. This threat is not the first that I have received from administration about my queer rights. (3/8)— zander moricz (@zander moricz) 1652137219
He recalled the administration tore posters from the wall of the school after he organized a "Say Gay Walkout" in protest of Florida's controversial "Don't Say Gay" law.
Florida’s Republican-sponsored Parental Rights in Education bill, or H.B. 1557, was recently signed into law by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. The law, colloquially known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law, aims to “reinforce the fundamental right of parents to make decisions regarding the upbringing and control of their children in a specified manner.”
The law wants to prohibit “a school district from encouraging classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels or in a specified manner” and authorizes parents to “bring an action against a school district to obtain a declaratory judgment that a school district procedure or practice violates certain provisions of law.”
However school curriculums, books, class plays, discussions, etc... are filled with heterosexual and cisgender references from pre-K up. The law would gut school content if it targeted all sexualities or gender identities, making it clear the law was aimed at everyone outside the heterosexual, cisgender bubble.
Moricz said the walkout happened anyway and he will not cave to the administration's attempt to silence him.
When administration discovered that I was organizing a Say Gay walkout, they had all our posters ripped from the walls and told me to shut down the protest. They said they would send school security if I did not listen. (4/8)— zander moricz (@zander moricz) 1652137219
I held the walkout anyways, and it became our county\u2019s largest protest. I won\u2019t give into threats and I won\u2019t be silenced. I have a plan to fight back again, and this time, I need your help. (5/8)— zander moricz (@zander moricz) 1652137219
He announced that the Social Equity and Education Initiative (SEE), which launched a petition titled #LetZanderSpeak, has secured 10,000 Say Gay Stickers thjat we're prepared to ship to high school seniors across Florida.
He urged his fellow students to wear them on their gowns as they "cross the graduation stage," a form of protest deisgned to remind underclassmen "that we're done with high school, not the fight."
He also included a link to a form where followers could order their stickers and join the movement.
Fill out the form to get your stickers now. https://forms.gle/opz1Hdq5owT7Cv4R8\u00a0\u2026 For all the kids who are not graduating and not escaping, we must say gay. #advocategraduate #saygay (7/8)— zander moricz (@zander moricz) 1652137220
Many have praised Moricz for speaking out.
As someone who was the first openly gay president of my high school\u2019s student council back in 2009, I applaud @zandermoricz and his courage. Don\u2019t back down! Thank you for standing up and speaking out for the LGBTQ+ youth of Florida who don\u2019t have a voice. #SayGayhttps://twitter.com/zandermoricz/status/1523800052837195776\u00a0\u2026— James Duke Mason (@James Duke Mason) 1652225487
It's an indictment of people my age that high school students have more dignity, sense, courage and organisation than school administrations and state governments. Young people shouldn't have to fight just for basic respect but I have confidence that they will win when they do.https://twitter.com/zandermoricz/status/1523800052837195776\u00a0\u2026— Daniel Rigal \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa (@Daniel Rigal \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa) 1652207523
We are with you, @zandermoricz !! This has been shared with all of my Florida friends.https://twitter.com/zandermoricz/status/1523800052837195776\u00a0\u2026— holly beary (@holly beary) 1652177112
I wish we lived in a world where our queer youth didn\u2019t have to be so brave, but they are, and their rights are worth fighting for every single day. Thread and links to donate below.https://twitter.com/zandermoricz/status/1523800052837195776\u00a0\u2026— Kalynn Bayron (@Kalynn Bayron) 1652181910
The kids give me hope. Please spread @zandermoricz\u2019s message! \n\nDeSantis can get bent. (That\u2019s just my message, not Zander\u2019s.)https://twitter.com/zandermoricz/status/1523800052837195776\u00a0\u2026— \u2728Emily J. (she/her) \u2728 (@\u2728Emily J. (she/her) \u2728) 1652183691
Young people will save us all. Thank you @zandermoricz for your courage & commitment to be seen & heard. https://twitter.com/zandermoricz/status/1523800052837195776\u00a0\u2026— Anthony Rapp SAG-AFTRA National & NY Board Member (@Anthony Rapp SAG-AFTRA National & NY Board Member) 1652198076
I'd likely file a lawsuit against the school district for discrimination and bigotry, as well as any suit filed against the state.\n\nI'm so proud of all the young people I am seeing this year who are running for govt positions and those raising their voices!!\n\n#ResistanceUnitedhttps://twitter.com/zandermoricz/status/1523800052837195776\u00a0\u2026— GingerSnap- The artist formerly known as\u2764Red\u2764 (@GingerSnap- The artist formerly known as\u2764Red\u2764) 1652198739
Sarasota County Schools confirmed that the meeting between Moricz and Covert took place, noting that graduation speeches are typically reviewed to ensure they are “appropriate to the tone of the ceremony.”
The district added:
“Out of respect for all those attending the graduation, students are reminded that a graduation should not be a platform for personal political statements, especially those likely to disrupt the ceremony."
“Should a student vary from this expectation during the graduation, it may be necessary to take appropriate action.”
Moricz did tell reporters that he and Covert had previously had a cordial relationship, saying that Covert’s demand “did not reflect his previous actions” in their four years of working together. Moricz said he believes Covert's request was an effort to comply with the "Don't Say Gay" law.