Hi! My name is Jack Petocz, I’m the 17-year-old student activist who led nationwide walkouts against the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Through being kicked out of school, harassed in public and doxxed, this moment was truly special to me. I’ll keep fighting ❤️
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Jack Petocz 
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Jack Petocz 🏳️🌈’s Tweets
We just unseated an extremist school board member that banned LGBTQ+ books, didn’t care about teachers and defended people who verbally harnessed me. Never give up on Florida, so happy right now!
Remember when Don’t Say Gay was being passed, and Republicans tried so hard to frame it as a bill prohibiting sex-ed.
Well the law goes into effect in 2 days, and teachers are literally being ordered to scrape off rainbow safe-space stickers from their classroom doors.
Ron DeSantis just removed 4 democratically elected school board members from office.
This is the work of an autocrat. I’m terrified.
Florida is 9,000 teachers short for this upcoming school year. Educators are fed up with being underpaid, scrutinized and silenced.
Today, I resigned from .
After 4 years of service, I was so disheartened when the company failed to even make a statement following more than $200,000 in donations to the sponsors of the Don't Say Gay bill.
Let's all call on Publix to #StopFundingHate.
I may have been suspended, but I will not be silenced. I am proud of who I am, and I am #notafraidtosaygay.
My name is Jack Petocz. I am the high school junior who led walkouts in opposition to the “Don’t Say Gay” bill and was suspended for passing out pride flags. Now, I’m being prevented from running for senior class president. No matter what, I won’t stop fighting for my community.
I organized the statewide #DSGWalkout today in response to attempts to silence and erase the LGBTQ+ community in Florida. I was indefinitely suspended from my school for organizing a peaceful rally. Read my full statement below.
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In the same district, teachers in queer relationships are being advised to remove any family portraits. Staff can’t even wear rainbow clothing.
We always knew what this was about, silencing LGBTQ+ people.
Ron DeSantis just launched his presidential campaign 🚨
I’m Jack Petocz, an 18 y/o Floridian who’s countered his BS via nationwide walkouts, public pressure, and disruption of his political rallies.
The fight has just begun. So help me God, he’ll never touch the White House.
A federal judge JUST BLOCKED DeSantis’ bill to ban college instruction of institutionalized racism!
This brave justice said, “The First Amendment does not permit Florida to muzzle its university professors, impose its own orthodoxy of viewpoints, and cast us all into the dark”
I am requesting a meeting with to voice my opposition to the "Don't Say Gay" bill. Read my full statement below.
Jeffree Star denying the existence of non-binary people for a minute straight.
“That’s why conservatives like me, because I’m just real.”
“How are you a ‘they’ wtf does that mean?”
Such gross behavior.
twitter.com/allegedlyangel
Happening Now: We’re blocking the doors at Ron DeSantis’ rally for extremist school board candidates. We’re tired to his administration erasing our identities and experiences. Gen-Z is ready to fight, . 😘
After the Don’t Say Gay bill was passed, I was thrown out my school for passing out Pride flags.
Today, I marched in Orlando Pride with thousands, pride flag in hand.
The LGBTQ+ community will never be silenced. , I hope you’re scared.
Twitter, I made it!
Last year, I was suspended from school for peacefully protesting and passing out Pride flags.
Today, I graduated Summa Cum Laude and am headed off to Vanderbilt in the fall! Thank you all for your support throughout this journey!
Never did I think that the little gay kid from a small town in Florida would be invited to the White House for this historic day.
The Respect for Marriage Act has been signed into law! Thank you, . 🏳️🌈 🥲
Growing up, I watched in terror as mass shooting after mass shooting occurred. Today, I asked Ron DeSantis directly, why he doesn’t care about my life and refuses to act on gun violence. Instead of answering me, he sent his security guards to kick me out. We deserve better.
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Alright, this got me. I’m sitting in my bedroom at 2 AM, when I have an exam in the morning, bawling my eyes out. What have we become? This is not the Florida that I know.
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Hi, I’m that Florida student. We’re going to keep fighting until we defeat this bigoted governor.
Something I’ve been looking forward to since I was little kid!
Just voted for the first time to safeguard equality in Florida! ❤️ Please show up to the polls!
Standing with UNF today as colleges across FL walkout of their classrooms in protest of Ron DeSantis’ oppressive regime.
“Racist, sexist, anti-gay, Ron DeSantis GO AWAY!
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Today, the Florida House passed the "Don't Say Gay" bill. Students are angry, frustrated and ready to fight this sickening piece of legislation. I'm organizing a statewide school walkout on March 3rd at 12:00 PM in opposition. I encourage student leaders to join me. #DSGWalkout
Congrats to my friend on his primary victory! Let’s continue this momentum into November to unseat DeSantis!
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FYI: this was in Broward County. DeSantis used a politicized grand jury report to replace them with his allies.
Since DeSantis outlawed LGBTQ+ history from our public schools, I decided to dedicate my senior thesis to the Reagan Administration’s negligence as AIDS killed scores.
We can never forget or silence the lived experiences of our community.
One year ago today, I was thrown out of my school for passing out Pride flags.
Since then, I’ve banded together with other queer activists, landed a position at one of the nation’s leading youth nonprofits, and confronted Ron DeSantis directly.
Bigots won’t break my soul. 🏳️🌈
As Ron DeSantis attacks a private corporation for denouncing his bigotry, I feel it’s important to note that he LITERALLY got married at Disney World.
Can’t go to school.
Can’t go to church.
Can’t go to the movies.
Can’t go to a parade.
Can’t go to a concert.
Can’t go to a nightclub.
Can’t go to a Walmart to shop for the holiday.
💔
Publix is trending in FL bc I called them out for their exorbitant price gouging.
Wait till you all see the pin I had to wear while making $8 an hour in 100-degree heat lol.
Btw- just so we're keeping track, Publix made a record $48 billion dollars in sales in 2021.
Representation matters. When my district banned books with LGBTQ and POC characters, I acquired over 300 to distribute to students in Flagler County. Fight this bigoted censorship.
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From standing together at protests to the White House, I love my community.
Thank you, , for always being an ally! Happy Pride 🏳️🌈❤️
I can’t even articulate how much it meant as an LGBTQ+ Floridian to hear the Vice President condemn DeSantis’ bigoted actions tonight.
Thank you, , for all that you do for our community. ❤️
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I’m not surprised that the press secretary of a governor, who’s raising taxes on Floridians for the sake of a few minutes of Fox air time, would shit on a working class teenager standing up for themselves and their identity. twitter.com/ChristinaPusha
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Today is a dark day for LGBTQ+ people. Ron DeSantis just BANNED:
-Gender-affirming healthcare for minors.
-Trans people from using the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity.
-Students and staff from using their preferred pronouns in a public school.
No words.
While running some errands a few minutes ago, a car pulled up beside me. He began to violently scream the F-slur at me, while getting very close to my vehicle. This is the reality of queer activists in FL. I fear for my life here.
This is incredible!
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Press is not allowed to cover today’s walkouts against the state’s anti-transgender policies at eight Prince William County high schools this morning, but here’s what we can see from public property: hundreds of kids walkout at C.D. Hylton High School at about 9 a.m.
I’m pissed.
An upgraded version of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill has just been introduced in the FL legislature.
Instead of LGBTQ+ erasure occurring in K-3rd grades, FL Republicans are now seeking to continue restrictions into 8th grade.
We will not be silenced.
The average market price of eggs is about $3.50 a dozen.
Today, is charging close to $9 for a normal non-organic carton.
This is a staple that low-income families like my own survivor off of.
This is manufactured corporate greed.
My heart is breaking at this meeting. Parents of trans kids are crying at the podium. What this board is doing is so wrong 💔
Proud Boys and other hate groups organized an anti-gay rally in downtown Ft Lauderdale.
So we organized a peaceful counter-protest to spread love instead of hate. Look at this queer power. ❤️ 🏳️🌈
I’m spending my morning sitting through footage and actual 911 calls from school shootings across the country. It shouldn’t have to be this way. I should be learning. Fucking do something.
Today, I am so happy to express my support for for governor. Charlie, thank you so much for your constant support, and I cannot wait to cast my first ballot for you this November!
BREAKING: the Florida Board of Education has just voted to EXPAND Don’t Say Gay’s restrictions to 12th grade.
This was NEVER about protecting your children. It’s all an elaborate plan to ERASE people like me from existence.
You won’t fucking win.
Hi!
My name is Jack Petocz. In addition to being a full-time high school student, I organized the statewide #DSGWalkout, led a notable fight against book banning and have begun to mobilize a coalition of young voters to remove DeSantis from office.
Follow me to stay updated!
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A room full of white people, says a lot. Especially given that extremist abortion bans, such as the one you signed tonight, disproportionately impact BIPOC communities.
My teachers are working 2nd and 3rd jobs to make ends meet while we’re fighting over the “wokeness” of AP classes.
Get a grip.
I’m gonna cry. This is such a beautiful show of queer joy 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈
Disney has funded the campaigns of every sponsor and co-sponsor of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. We don’t need your online pandering, we don’t need pride merch to profit off the community, we need commitment. Commitment to stop funding politicians hurting queer youth in Florida.
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NEW: Disney responds to protests and calls for action surrounding Florida's "Don't Say Gay" Bill, saying in part, "The biggest impact we can have in creating a more inclusive world is through the inspiring content we produce."
MORE: gma.abc/3sg3P8y
A school board member went on a tirade against me and the walkouts I led.
She said I, "need to learn how to interact with legislation and legislators."
K, I was a guest of POTUS, have had countless meetings with reps, and was a speaker at Harvard.
You're 72 attacking a 17 y/o
When I returned to school, administration pledged to me no further disciplinary action would be taken. Now, they've placed a level 3 referral on my permanent record for organizing the walkout, preventing me from running for leadership in most clubs. I just wanna be left alone.
Just a stunning scene inside the FL board of medicine meeting atm! Every time a transphobic bully approaches the dais, the entire room hold trans flags in silent protest.
I’m very excited to announce that I will be a first-generation Vanderbilt student studying political science!
Anchor Down! ⚓️💛
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If you want to help me fight, click the link below to send an email to administrators and the superintendent of my district. It’s ridiculous queer kids have to be punished while fighting for our rights. tinyurl.com/standwithjack
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As DeSantis utilizes Twitter as a main mode of campaigning, I will continue to use my platform to post important updates and fight back against his crusade of bigotry. Now is not the time for complacency!
Senator Scott and Rubio just voted to not advance the Respect for Marriage Act.
This is on the heels of the Don’t Say Gay bill and continual attacks on trans youth.
FL electeds do not care about my community.
Two years ago to the day, I testified for the first time in a local school board meeting.
Yesterday, I met with the President of the United States and watched as he signed an exec order protecting LGBTQ+ students across the nation.
Truly an unbelievable experience.
I’m telling you right now- this man is plotting a presidential campaign. For the past year, Ron has been inciting nonexistent cultural wars to grow his national platform.
Due to his policies, I’ve been thrown out of school, harassed in public and doxxed.
Stop him now.
Joe Harding who authored the bigoted “Don’t Say Gay” bill was just indicted on federal wire fraud charges.
Three words, Mr. Harding:
Karma’s a bitch.
Speaking at a Charlie Crist rally tonight! ❤️
While my heart breaks for Florida tonight, I'd like to remind everyone that Ron DeSantis does not represent the entirety of my state.
There's an entire generation of young people, just coming to voting age, that are tired of his bigoted agenda.
Do not ever give up hope.
Sarasota County schools literally just mandated teachers out LGBTQ+ students to their parents. This is dangerous, irrational and horrifying.
Children will be harassed, assaulted, thrown out of their home and even killed in the name of DeSantis gaining more power. Hate it here.
279 mass shootings this year and the Supreme Court strikes down common-sense gun control.
This is a crowd awaiting Ron DeSantis’ arrival at a conference in Tampa. My heart breaks for what my home has turned into.
Schools need to discipline students spewing hate and homophobia, not those bravely fighting it.
The protest has reached 20 schools in Florida and is growing by the hour! Keep spreading the word. #DSGWalkout
Guys- I got accepted into my first college this week! :) I get the rest next month, super excited!
Kudos to Governor Murphy of New Jersey for doing the right thing and EXPANDING AP African American studies to 26 more schools next year.
The governor said, “Enough already of all this nonsense coming out of FL, we want to expand the story and tell the whole truth.”
My heart truly breaks for every LGBTQ+ kid who will be hurt in the name of Ron DeSantis gaining power.
I’ll fight until my last breath to unseat these bigots. ❤️
A FL Republican said a rainbow truck in a Nickelodeon show is making kids gay.
My response:
It's 2 AM and I'm awake planning a massive mobilization of Floridians to defeat Ron DeSantis. Although tiring, this work is so necessary. , we're committed and ready to fight like never before.
Growing up, I spent countless nights trying to change who I am. Praying to God I could wake up different, what I had preconceived as "normal."
Today, "Don't Say Gay" goes into effect, but I'll keep proudly expressing my identity, so no child feels lesser than or not worthy. ❤️
Remember when TikTokers messed with the Trump campaign by reserving the majority of tickets to his rally?
Wouldn’t it be just horrible if we all banded together and replicated this to put a nail in Ronnie’s coffin?
Anyways, I just got my tix, and idk if I can make it Iowa 😉
BTW to Ron DeSantis, I’m not going anywhere. The fight continues tomorrow.
For four years, Ron DeSantis has wreaked havoc on the state of Florida. He heartlessly endangered Floridians in the wake of COVID, has attacked the LGBTQ and POC communities, limited reproductive health care, and more. The time for action is now, march with us on June 1st.
A day of unity. We’re all going to have to come together to defeat Ron DeSantis. Thank you and for coming today!
Y’all I’m so tired. Your daily reminder that is full of BIGOTS.
For context, this is the county that removed me from my learning for passing out Pride flags.
Today, their idiocy has worsened. Please read thread below ⬇️
Made it to Orlando City Hall Plaza! Come join us and call for the removal of Ron DeSantis! We march at noon EST!
A bit emotional tonight as I finish my final college supplement. Two years ago, I was sitting in a hospital room, severely unhealthy and depressed.
Today, I’m healthy, surrounded by my incredible friends and applying to the school of my dreams. It gets better! ❤️
Crisis pregnancy centers prey on people seeking reproductive healthcare and guilt-trip them into not getting an abortion.
So, GZ4C developed code to spam their Google and Yelp with negative reviews, showing their true colors. Gen-Z is fighting back! saferinitiative.org
Tired of people saying young organizers have no legitimacy because we don’t show up to vote.
The 2018 and 2020 elections both broke records in regards to youth turnout.
Times are changing, we show up.