My school is currently “investigating” me about this piece because my history teacher doesn’t like it. bruh.
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This Florida teen went viral for his lesson on the Stonewall riots wapo.st/3K9YFlf
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Will Larkins
@ProudTwinkie
Will Larkins☮️🟧’s Tweets
Recently, I have received what feels like endless threats, homophobia, and people calling me a groomer/pedophile. i’m 17 and seeing what people say about me is scary. This is a direct result of Desantis homophobic rhetoric. They are attacking minors. Protect kids.
Experiencing homophobia at school is starting to become a daily occurrence again. Today, i got called the f slur in the bathroom, Friday 15 guys threatened to jump me and my sister, i was shouted at while walking home last Thursday. This is the reality for queer kids in Florida.
Member of the Florida Department of Education and a Florida highschool senior…
The Seminole County school board met on Tuesday and was overrun by homophobes saying terrible things. That’s why I spoke out, defending my community at 17 years old against bigots trying to take away queer students rights.
LGBTQ American history is not taught in Floridas public schools, so I took it upon myself to explain the events of the Stonewall Uprising to my 4th period US history class. #SayGayAnyway
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We are not a threat, so why is our government treating us like one?
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Day 2: 73 new registered voters!
124 in total.
This midterm, the youth will make our voice heard!!
i’m 17. i get so many messages just like this. every single day. most of them aren’t even bots. they are real people.
First time i organized was in 7th grade after the parkland school shooting. I planned the walkout at my middle school. I was 12, organizing, because i didn’t want me and my classmates to get murdered in school. Adults, do your job. VOTE.
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I’m a 17 year old highschool junior teaching a historical event to my classmates. We have learned much more intense history in this class. How are y’all calling me a groomer and a pedo rn. Stop sexualizing and harassing minors like me.
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People have called me a creep, a predator, a groomer, and a pedophile since i was in early middle school. Desantis is making that worse for us. Who’s sexualizing children when a 12 year old is called a pedophile because they happen to be gay?
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The amount of hate i get over social media is disturbing. Complete adults calling ME a predator for talking about my experience growing up gay, homophobia, and mental health struggles.
I wrote an OP ED for about my experience growing up gay and non-binary and how the #DontSayGay bill would effect people like me.
A lot of people in the comments are asking why i “had to wear a dress”
The answer is, because I wanted to.
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LGBTQ American history is not taught in Floridas public schools, so I took it upon myself to explain the events of the Stonewall Uprising to my 4th period US history class. #SayGayAnyway
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Meanwhile, @OCPSnews reduced the kid who stole and destroyed a pride flag at our walkouts expulsion to a suspension because they “couldn’t argue that it was hate speech”
Tell me how this isn’t hate speech. twitter.com/ProudTwinkie/s…
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December, the day i was going to end it
vs
April, overcoming everything and using the trauma to speak out for those who can’t
My highschool went on lockdown today because some students brought guns and threatened the school. I was lucky enough to be at the airport when that happened but my little sister was texting while it was happening. We deserve to feel safe going to school so we can actually learn.
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for more context: we were in the late 60s early 70s unit and when i found out we were gonna learn about stonewall (1969) i made a presentation and my teacher let me show the class
I spoke about the homophobia i encountered growing up at this school assembly. Many of the people i was referring to were in the audience.
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Text of Hb1233 the “Don’t Say They” bill. A recently filed expansion to Floridas Don’t say gay law.
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KAT THE AMOUNT OF TODLERS I SEE IN PUBLIC WATCHING TIKTOK IS SO TERRIFYING
people letting algorithms raise their kids nowadays
Winter Park High School is #NotAfraidToSayGay
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Last October at a halloween party where a group of guys from school surrounded me and threatened me. I talk about this a lot, but one of the main things shouted at me was “Go fuck kids” and “go fuck animals”. The republicans in power are perpetuating this and it’s harming kids.
School districts all over Florida have been *BANNING BOOKS* that mention lgbtq people so I went to my school board to speak out against it.
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if anyone wants to read more in depth about what queer teens in Florida are dealing with:
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I spoke to @HuffPost about my experience with homophobia, bullying, harassment, and my subsequent mental health struggles. huffpost.com/entry/florida-
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Comments on a tiktok i posted of me testifying in front of the Florida Senate.
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I always stress this point. the grooming rhetoric being used to take away sex ed is actually empowering groomers.
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for the record, she was ok with me doing the presentation but was mad about the article
Floridians is trending on twitter right now so I want to remind everyone that Ron Desantis does not represent Florida, we do. The queer community, immigrants, young activists. We are Florida.
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A walkout I organized in Winter Park, FL in protest of the Don’t Say Gay Law
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My highschool was on lockdown for the second time this semester today. We were swatted, students were told nothing, and teachers were crying, expressing their frustration that this is a “normal” part of their job. Schools are the backbone of society, we ALL deserve better.
We have registered 42 people so far today, we are here all week!!
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This week, @maddizornek and I will be registering our classmates to vote at lunch with the help of @PeoplePowerFLA
The youth vote will be heard this midterm!!
This week, and I will be registering our classmates to vote at lunch with the help of
The youth vote will be heard this midterm!!
I was bullied so badly for being queer that i planned out my suicide. I begged my schools administration for help and got almost no support. I hated my school, i hated being alive. I never once thought about shooting up my school. Mental health isn’t the problem, guns are.
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I was only one of many students who stood up for ourselves, our rights, and our community at that meeting. IF YOU ARE A STUDENT DON’T BE AFTAID TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD. is one of the student leaders who spoke that day! Give him a follow.
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only agenda im pushing is that of peace love & equality
Yesterday I walked into my schools SAFE counselor office to talk to someone. I was informed that because of HB1557 (the don’t say gay bill), that students need parental consent to talk to the school therapist now. This denies mental health services countless students queer or not
I spoke today at the final #DontSayGay bill Florida Senate committee. Unfortunately, they passed it 12-8 but the fight is NOT over.
i have a lot of people messaging me asking how best to support—VOTE FOR BETTER POLITICIANS THIS SUMMER!
I am about to speak at the Seminole County School board meeting about why school boards need to protect LGBTQ students with the recent passage of the Don’t SAY Gay bill. I am 17 and a junior. Nobody is too young to stand up for themselves! STUDENTS, MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
Meanwhile, reduced the kid who stole and destroyed a pride flag at our walkouts expulsion to a suspension because they “couldn’t argue that it was hate speech”
Tell me how this isn’t hate speech.
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My school is currently “investigating” me about this piece because my history teacher doesn’t like it. bruh. twitter.com/washingtonpost…
Today i gave the keynote speech at ’s youth summit. I spoke about the modern non-binary experience and how gen-z will change the world.
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Nobody should feel unsafe because of their queerness.
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Just happened at the WPHS football game. I was with my 14 year old sister and our friend. We left the game and walked to Ward park. A group of 14-15 grown guys (juniors at least) were walking over. they looked over at us and said “let’s jump those people on the benches” (thread)
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SEMINOLE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD. WE ARE ASKING YOU TO FINALLY AND OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZE PRIDE MONTH!
At 17 years old, I just spent the week in the U.S. Capitol lobbying with to make sure Gen-Z is properly represented.
Today is election day and students at Winter Park High School have made it clear that Gen-Z has had enough of adults in power making decisions that harm our future! #ElectionDay
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School starts tomorrow and we the students are prepared to fight ANY anti-LGBTQ policies being implemented due to the Don’t Say Gay bill.
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I will let you know if anything happens.
Winter Park voter registration is just the beginning. I am currently working with other student leaders and organizers to create statewide voter registration drives. Let your voice be heard!
Yesterday, i spoke to about why queer inclusive US history is a vital subject to teach in in schools and why the lack of queer education is damaging lgbtq youth like myself. washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022
Today, Florida’s “don’t say gay” bill is now law and my school district has already banned staff from wearing rainbows and talking about their same sex spouses.
Do you think we are going to let this happen without a fight?
No one person should have enough money to buy twitter while others can’t afford to eat.
I literally can not believe that i am grand marshall of Orlando pride tomorrow. Last years Orlando pride was the first pride i ever went to and now i’m leading it. wild.
My name is Will Larkins. I am a 17 y/o in a Florida high school and I won’t stand around while youth rights are at stake. Join me and fellow Orlando students next Tuesday to #rallyforourrights #letusread 🧵
mobilize.us/votersoftomorr
I have to meet with the PRINCIPAL about this tomorrow lmfao wtf
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My school is currently “investigating” me about this piece because my history teacher doesn’t like it. bruh. twitter.com/washingtonpost…
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I am 17, the kid in the white dress and peace sign necklace in the video, I get harassed on a daily basis at school because of my queerness and "parental rights" laws like "Dont say gay" in Florida has only made my life as a young person much worse.
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They are so judgmental of my 5 minute powerpoint for history class it’s absurd
After hours of heartbreaking testimonies from trans kids, adults, parents of trans kids, medical professionals, and allies, the Florida Board of Medicine UNANIMOUSLY voted down an amendment protecting gender affirming care. SHAME.!
As a student who is actually in the public school system, I am BEGGING to please stop attacking it, dismantling it, taking our funding, and give educators the resources they need to do THEIR job.
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I stalked his profile, he’s my age, he’s in highschool, no idea what he’s going through that made him feel like he can say that to people
They aren’t even being subtle about it anymore. They want us back in the closet. We made too much progress and now they want to undo it. Also, don’t speak on trans issues if YOU AREN’T TRANS.
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Lauren Boebert wants gay people to stay in the closet until 21 but trusts an 8-year-old with a loaded gun.
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I’m 17, i’m a senior in high school, and i just want to graduate. There is no need for people to be hateful. I feel bad for them for living like that with that kind of angry mindset.
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Hi I am a 17 year old highschooler, someone who actually goes to public school. What is your plan to prevent my school from getting shot up? Yesterday, my school went on lockdown after a 15 year old brought a gun to school. What will you do to prevent this violence?
Why are republican officials literally harassing highschool students and minors on twitter rn😭
Demi Lovato is completely valid in her search for identity. Gender is not black and white. Why are people mad?
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Hi Rep. Greene, im the kid in the white dress with the peace sign necklace. I am 17 and a senior in highschool. We just want to be able to go to school safely, all we are asking for is common sense gun control. What is your solution to ending school shootings?
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Reminder that these types of people are empowered by laws like the don’t say gay bill and the rhetoric used by legislators who support it.
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EXCLUSIVE: Students in Winter Park, Florida are currently staging a MASSIVE walkout to protest the heinous GOP 'Don't Say Gay' bill. Video shot by @proudtwinkie. #LetFreeFloridaSayGay
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They can’t take away our constitutional rights and expect us not to stand up and fight back. #RoeVWade #abortionrights
Just happened at the WPHS football game. I was with my 14 year old sister and our friend. We left the game and walked to Ward park. A group of 14-15 grown guys (juniors at least) were walking over. they looked over at us and said “let’s jump those people on the benches” (thread)
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Just one of many of the horrific attacks made against the queer community at the SCPS board meeting.
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From tonight's Seminole County Public Schools board meeting: Drake Wuertz, clad in an obnoxious "TAKING BACK THE RAINBOW" t-shirt, rants about the "OK groomer" nonsense & falsely claims that there are only 2 sets of human chromosomes.
His wife spoke right before him; see reply.
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also when i testified in front of the Florida Senate
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I spoke today at the final #DontSayGay bill Florida Senate committee. Unfortunately, they passed it 12-8 but the fight is NOT over.
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Since y’all are here, look at when i talked to OCPS about book banning!!
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School districts all over Florida have been *BANNING BOOKS* that mention lgbtq people so I went to my school board to speak out against it.
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It’s so vital to know about, if Florida won’t educate people I will
The Don’t Say Gay bill and bills like it aren’t about giving parents rights, they are about taking away students rights. Queer kids have a RIGHT to learn about our existence & identity.
They switched me into a new class 5 weeks before the end of the school year. Anyways, look at the lovely decor in my new classroom😍
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My school is currently “investigating” me about this piece because my history teacher doesn’t like it. bruh. twitter.com/washingtonpost…
I’m in Europe right now and i cannot express enough how FREEING it is not worrying that i will get shot when i am literally anywhere. Growing up with active shooter drills is traumatizing. It’s on my mind everywhere i go…except Europe.
I just spoke at a rally for trans rights in downtown Orlando and a proud boy shouted “go back to Harvard” at me.
YOUR BEST INSULT IS GO BACK TO THE IVY LEAGUE SCHOOL YOU SPOKE AT WHEN YOU ARE 17. That’s so funny.
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I have a feeling we can help students make this happen!
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Without interacting, we stood up and started quickly walking away. They shouted the f slur at us and told us to kill ourselves. they said “you better run.” they started chasing us but we got away and they stopped. It was a really out of body experience.
Ron Desantis is not Florida. Student activists, queer people, immigrants, and gen z is Florida.
I just finished my college essay and I can not WAIT to go to college and live on my own and not be in high school
Since the Governors election is coming up soon here in Florida, I would love to hear about your plans to overturn anti-LGBTQ policies and how you will protect the community from future attacks? I have two specific questions below
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This was not the full presentation, im fully aware that it was mainly black and brown trans woman and made a point to talk about it in the beginning🤍
My testimony against Florida House Bill 411 which would allow people from out of district to run for school board. Remember: #RonDeSantis spent $10Million on school board races in 2022. Don’t get it twisted: This is a tactic to take over education.
I am a highschool student in a district that teaches abstinence. I promise that not teaching the existence of sex doesn’t prevent it from happening. It just prevents it happening safely.
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Thank you so much Carlos, people like you are keeping me sane right now (:
Legislators should be public servants. LISTEN TO US. WE DONT WANT TO BE MURDERED IN SCHOOL.
You’re on the Florida board of education? You should be ashamed at the state of public schooling. I had three teachers quit last year. I have a homeless teacher. Students are terrified of book bans. Maybe instead of being petty on twitter you could do your job properly
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Queer teens are 4 times more likely to die by suicide then straight teens.
1 in 5 trans teens have attempted suicide.
I was almost a part of that statistic.
There is a mental health epidemic in the queer community and I will not stop fighting until it is over.
You know what doesn’t prevent abortion? Banning it. You know what does? Good sexual education. #studentsrights #RoeVWade