Student Behind ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Protests Seen as Rising Political Star
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Jack Petocz, the Flagler Palm Coast High School junior who organized the statewide walk out protests of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay Bill” has already proven his mettle as a canny strategist and following a meeting with members of the Biden Administration, is a likely to have a bright political future ahead.
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RELATED: Student who Planned & Organized ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Protests Indefinitely Suspended
On Thurdsay, Petocz tweeted:
“Thank you Secretary Miguel Cardona and Heath and Human Services head Dr. Rachel Levine for this opportunity to discuss the ongoing attack on queer youth in Florida. I urge the Biden Administration to enact federal protections for LGBTQ+ students, expand mental health coverage and pass the equality act.”
Thank you @SecCardona and @HHS_ASH for this opportunity to discuss the ongoing attack on queer youth in Florida. I urge the Biden Administration to enact federal protections for LGBTQ+ students, expand mental health coverage and pass the equality act. https://t.co/CLwDVP7Fof
— Jack Petocz (@Jack_Petocz) March 18, 2022
Biden administration officials held a closed-door meeting Thursday with several Florida LGBTQ students and their families about the state’s so-called Don’t Say Gay bill, the Education Department said.
The legislation — officially named the Parental Rights in Education Act — would prohibit “classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity” in Florida primary schools. Its passage in Florida’s House and Senate in recent weeks sparked national debate.
At Thursday’s virtual roundtable, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and the assistant secretary of health and human services for health, Dr. Rachel Levine, the first openly transgender Senate-confirmed federal official, reaffirmed support for LGBTQ youths and their families.
“Laws around the country, including in Florida, have targeted and sought to bully some of our most vulnerable students and families and create division in our schools,” Cardona said, according to a readout of the meeting. “My message to you is that this administration won’t stand for bullying or discrimination of any kind, and we will use our authorities to protect, support, and provide opportunities for LGBTQI+ students and all students.”
Following the protest, Petocz was suspended although he was readmitted March 7.
“As the Supreme Court has ruled, students do not shed their constitutional rights to freedom of expression at the schoolhouse gates,” Pen America, the free speech group, said in a statement. “This is especially so considering this was a pre-approved and reportedly peaceful rally. This wrongful suspension must be reversed.”
I am requesting a meeting with @GovRonDeSantis to voice my opposition to the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Read my full statement below. pic.twitter.com/N6qq2Gzdbv
— Jack Petocz (@Jack_Petocz) March 7, 2022
The March 3 protest wasn’t Petocz’s first battle with his school. He has fought against books being banned.
All Boys Are Not Blue: A Memoir – Manifesto, a teen and young adult novel by George M. Johnson, was removed from the school’s library. The book is described on Amazon as a “young-adult memoir” that “weaves together the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys.”
Someone on the school board lodged a criminal complaint against a media specialist who put All Boys Are Not Blue in the school’s library. The complaint was dismissed, but the book is still not back in the library, Petocz said.
“There is a process for challenging classroom materials, but we never had a challenge of media center materials,” Wheeler emailed the Blade when asked why the book was still missing from the school’s library, “that is what we are working through right now.”
The “Don’t Say Gay” protest is far from Petocz’s only political organizing effort. He organized Recall FCSB (@RecallFCSB on Twitter), a local, student-led group. “We’re working to recall the bigoted members of the school board,” Petocz said, “so it will be more inclusive and stop hurting people in marginalized communities.”
@jack_petocz We’ll keep fighting ????️????#dontsaygaybill #lgbt #notafraidtosaygay #politics #fl ♬ original sound – Jack Petocz
On the national level, Petocz is a political strategy associate with Gen-Z for Change (@genzforchange on Instagram). The group works for civil discourse and progressive change among Gen Z. The organization will push for the election of progressives in the midterms, Petocz said.
Politics will likely always be embedded in Petocz’s DNA. “I plan to study political science and minor in international affairs,” Petocz said, “after that law school. Then, maybe I’ll run for office.”
Perhaps nothing underscores Petocz’s resolve like his statement following passage of the bill:
Gen-Z is angry, disappointed and tired of politicians policing our education and erasing our identities. Make no mistake, we will fight back and our voices will be heard in November.
November, and likely beyond.
