Florida students aren’t staying silent about the state’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

Florida students aren’t staying silent about the state’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill. This week, Florida’s state Senate voted to pass the Parents Rights in Education bill (commonly referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill), which blocks school districts from talking about sexual orientation and gender identity with students. It’s still awaiting a final signature from the state’s governor, and for weeks, students have been holding major demonstrations to protest the bill, while taking to social media to share the effects this bill will have on LGBTQ+ youth. Students have traveled to the state’s capital to meet with lawmakers and plead their case with LGBTQ organizations, held statewide school walkouts (the student who has been organizing the walkouts has even gotten suspended and gone viral on social media for sharing his story), and posted on TikTok via the Gen-Z for Change account to build national awareness for their fight. Disney employees (including current and former actors, parks employees, and more) are also speaking out against the bill after it was made public that Disney had previously donated to politicians who pushed the legislation forward and CEO Bob Chapek refused to publicly condemn the bill in an official statement (now, Chapek is speaking out in opposition of the bill, stating that he will meet with Florida’s governor and donate $5 million to LGBTQ+ rights organizations). YPulse’s causes, charity, and activism research shows that LGBTQ discrimination / rights is a leading social cause Gen Z and Millennials are passionate about right now, and their protest of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill marks yet another example of how these activated generations aren’t afraid to demand change from lawmakers and companies. (CNN, BuzzFeed News)