Zander Moricz
Zander Moricz is an American political activist, and the founder and executive director of the Social Equity and Education Alliance (SEE). SEE is one of the most well-funded youth organizations in global history,[according to whom?] with several thousand organizers registering voters and leading protests across the United States. SEE is currently opening the country's first entirely youth-led community center called the SEE Space in Sarasota, Florida. Moricz is the youngest plaintiff involved in a federal lawsuit led by Roberta Kaplan, challenging the constitutionality of HB 1557, also known as the "Don't Say Gay" law. For his efforts, Moricz has been named one of GLAAD's 20 under 20,[1] LGBTQ Nation's Hero of The Year,[2] one of Seventeen Magazine's Voices of the Year, 2022's Spirit of Matthew Honoree,[3] and ADL's Kay Family honoree.
Graduation speech
Moricz's high school graduation speech went viral after he used the platform to speak out against the "Don't Say Gay" law. Due to Moricz's controversial LGBTQ+ activism,[4] school officials preemptively censored his speech by stating that he could not address his commitment to LGBTQ+ equality. Moricz took to Twitter with a call to action that was heard by tens of millions of people across the globe. Resulting in the Say Gay Sticker campaign, graduation ceremonies became protests across the state of Florida. Moricz's graduation became particularly polarized as death threats were sent en masse to both Moricz and his school principal. Additional security was stationed at the graduation ceremony and on school campus to ensure public safety. Moricz's speech was met with a standing ovation and the video was praised by millions as a genius piece of social writing that is now taught and studied at Harvard University.
Moricz received national attention with his graduation speech, in which he used his curly hair as a metaphor for his sexuality. Moricz has been covered by Rolling Stone,[5] the Washington Post,[6] NBC News,[7] Good Morning America[8] and more.
References
- ↑ Nast, Condé (2022-09-28). "These Are the 20 Queer and Trans Youth Changing the World". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
- ↑ Bollinger, Alex. "Here are the winners of LGBTQ Nation Heroes 2022". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
- ↑ 2022 Spirit of Matthew Award Honoree - Zander Moricz, retrieved 2022-11-18
- ↑ Mendoza, Jesse. "Sarasota's LGBTQ community waves 700-foot pride flag in opposition to 'Don't Say Gay' bill". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
- ↑ Mier, Tomás; Mier, Tomás (2022-05-12). "His Principal Wants to Censor His Graduation Speech. This Gay Student Leader Won't Let It Happen". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2022-10-13.
- ↑ "Told not to say 'gay' in graduation speech, he made his point anyway". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2022-10-13.
- ↑ "Gay high schooler says he's 'being silenced' by Florida's LGBTQ law". NBC News. Retrieved 2022-10-13.
- ↑ America, Good Morning. "Florida student alleges he was told not to mention 'Don't Say Gay' law in speech". Good Morning America. Retrieved 2022-10-13.
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