Photos: ‘We Say Gay’ rally walks through campus in opposition to recent Florida law
As part of Safe Sex Week, UCF’s Young Democratic Socialists of America held a "We Say Gay" rally to stand in union against the "Don’t Say Gay" law, formally Parental Rights in Education law, on Wednesday.
The students marched from Ferrell Commons to the Pulse memorial while holding flags and chanting "we say gay." They marched to the Student Union’s Pulse mural, which honors the 49 lives taken from a shooting at an Orlando gay nightclub in 2015.
Students gathered at the mural for speeches, a moment of silence and poems.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the "Don’t Say Gay" law March 28, and it is effective July 1.
UCF’s Young Democratic Socialists of America held a rally to stand in union against the "Don’t Say Gay" law on Wednesday at Ferrell Commons and the Pulse mural.
The "Don’t Say Gay" law, formally the Parental Rights in Education law, was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on March 28.
YSDA at UCF held this rally in part of Safe Sex Week to continue highlighting the issues of this law. Students marched from Pride Commons to the Pulse mural on Wednesday while chanting "we say gay" and holding signs and flags.
Students gave speeches and read poems at the rally YSDA held on Wednesday at the Student Union’s Pulse mural, which honors the 49 lives taken from a shooting at the Orlando gay nightclub in 2015.
At the Pulse mural, freshman forensic science major Riz Smith read a poem they wrote to speak to the next generation of students who will be growing up with the "Don't Say Gay" law in effect.
YDSA has been receiving death threats and hate in person and online, according to its Instagram. However, it released a statement that said these acts would not discourage the members from continuing their work.
Lauren Rouse, YDSA outreach coordinator and Ph.D. candidate, started the rally off by introducing different speakers who gave speeches. Rouse then led the marchers to the Pulse mural on Wednesday at the "We Say Gay" rally.
Students march together to protest the "Don’t Say Gay" law on Wednesday at Ferrell Commons. The law, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on March 28, "reinforces parents’ fundamental rights to make decisions regarding the upbringing of their children," according to a press release.
Students march on campus while holding a gay pride flag.
Lauren Rouse, YDSA outreach coordinator and Ph.D. candidate, gives a speech at Pride Commons on Wednesday to inspire a group to stand against the "Don’t Say Gay" law. The law was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on March 28, and it restricts schools from talking about sexual orientation and gender identity in classrooms kindergarten through third grade.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.