Shevrin Jones – the first openly LGBT+ member of Florida’s Republican-dominated Senate – made an emotional appeal to proponents of so-called “Don’t Say Gay” legislation as young people protested inside the state’s Capitol building, demanding legislators shoot down a bill that could forcibly “out” LGBT+ students and have a chilling effect on LGBT+ people and issues in Florida schools.
“Seeing these kids, I don’t think y’all understand how much courage it takes to show up every day,” said Mr Jones on Monday, reflecting on his father’s “disappointment” and the insults hurled at him after he publicly came out.
