The ‘It’s OK to Say Gay’ rally was attended by hundreds of protesters in opposition of HB 1557.
Courtesy of Aubrey Carr | The Crow’s Nest
By Aubrey Carr
Hundreds gathered outside the St. Petersburg City Hall on March 12 to protest the recently passed House Bill (HB) 1557, the Parents Rights in Education bill.
Twelve Florida political groups partnered to host the “It’s OK to Say Gay” rally, with support from local political figures and LGBTQ+ advocates –– Pinellas County School Board Member Caprice Edmond, City Councilmember Richie Floyd and State Rep. Michele Rayner were all in attendance.
HB 1557 –– referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” by critics –– was passed by the Florida Senate on March 9.
If signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the bill would ban the discussion of topics relating to sexuality and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade classrooms. Additionally, any instruction of these issues deemed inappropriate will be banned.
Opponents of the bill say the legislation is damaging to LGBTQ+ children and families.
Lee Bryant, a Pinellas County teacher for over 20 years, shared his opinion on how the proposed bill could impact his students.
“I know there are plenty of people who say it’s not up to the schools to provide that support that should be left to the home,” Bryant said. “But sadly, research suggests that among LGBTQ+ youth, only one-third experienced parental acceptance, with an additional one-third experiencing parental rejection.”
“Another study found that LGBTQ+ young adults who report high levels of parental rejection are eight times more likely to attempt suicide and six times more likely to report high levels of depression. Without a safe and supportive school, they would have no one to turn to,” Bryant said.
Bryant chastised supporters of HB 1557 but urged the crowd to use the bill’s passing as an incentive to fight regressive legislation.
“Their wins are going to make us work harder, because they know their power is nearing the end. That’s the thing about progress… As we work to open the world It takes away their power. Their power wants to cling to the past and hold people back,” Bryant said.
Rayner, the first openly queer Black woman to be elected to Florida Legislature, spoke at the rally, condemning DeSantis’ support of the bill.
“[DeSantis] has called people who are LGBTQ and those who are opponents of his ‘Don’t Say Gay’ groomers and pedophiles,” Rayner said. “It is nothing but a lie and it is despicable. We will not stand for it.”
Rayner denounced the bill and assured the crowd the bill would be overturned.
“Guess what happens when something is unconstitutional, and it passes in the legislature? It gets overturned,” Rayner said. “You know how [HB 1557] is going to get overturned? Because of people like you that are making sure that the legislators know that this cannot stand.”
Following the rally, demonstrators marched through downtown St. Petersburg, making their way to the St. Pete Pier.
Marchers carried rainbow flags and chanted, “It’s okay to say gay.”
If signed by DeSantis, HB 1557 will go into effect July 1.
