Scores of students gather on the steps of Fairhaven High School on Friday 3/11/22 at 1 p.m., while a student hands out postcards to mail to legislators during a coordinated walkout to support LGBTQ+ students in response to legislation in Florida and Texas that targets LGBTQ+ people. Photo by Kelly Smith for the Neighb News.
By Beth David, Editor
Members of Fairhaven High School’s Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) rallied their classmates to show solidarity with all LGBTQ+ youth across the country. In response to legislation in Florida and Texas, the students participated in the National Queer Youth Walkout on Friday, 3/11 at 1 p.m.
Samantha Brodeur, president of the GSA at FHS, told the Neighb News they were there to show the “overwhelming support we have for everybody.”
Kylie Marina said the group had postcards to give to people to send to legislators and the governor to let them know that Massachusetts does not support the legislation.
“Because everyone deserves to love who they love and be who they are,” said Marina.
Assistant Principal Lauren Millette said she was “incredibly proud” of the students, especially the organizers.
“It’s so important that when kids come to school they feel free to be themselves,” said Ms. Millette. “And I love seeing the support in our community. Proud of them.”
Fairhaven High School students display the rainbow flag on Friday 3/11/22 at a coordinated walkout to support LGBTQ+ students in response to legislation in Florida and Texas that targets LGBTQ+ people. Photo by Kelly Smith for the Neighb News.
During the rally on the steps, Brodeur told the crowd that they had an “overwhelming amount of support” for the event. “More than we thought.”
Brodeur added that it was more than “tolerance” that they needed, but really connecting with each other.
“And it’s so special to have everybody here right now,” said Brodeur. “Thank you so much.”
The “Parental Rights in Education Bill that passed in the Florida legislature has been dubbed by detractors as the “Don’t Say ‘Gay’” bill. It prevents teachers from using the word “gay” or mentioning anything about sexual orientation in any classroom in the lower grades, and allows parents to sue schools over the issue. Other states are working o on similar bills, including Kansas and Indiana.
In Texas, the Governor issued a directive ordering teachers and medical professionals to report parents as child abusers if they support their children’s pursuit of any kind of gender questioning treatments.
In Fairhaven on Friday, students held signs that said “Gay is not a bad word,” and “It’s OK to say Gay.”
Kennedy Alcock led the crowd chanting “FHS says gay.”
Kennedy Alcock holds a sign saying “It’s Okay to Say Gay!” during a coordinated walkout at Fairhaven High School on 3/11/22 to support LGBTQ+ students in response to legislation in Florida and Texas that targets LGBTQ+ people. Photo by Kelly Smith for the Neighb News.
Fairhaven will be holding a Gay Pride event in front of town hall on Saturday, 6/26, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Select Board approved the date and time at its meeting on Monday, 3/14. Organizers will be updating the community and the Belonging Committee as the date nears.
June is Gay Pride month in the US and in Massachusetts. To learn more visit https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/06/01/a-proclamation-on-lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-and-queer-pride-month-2021/ or
Provincetown’s Pride celebration is a signature event that will be June 3–5 this year (visit https://ptown.org/calendar/pride/). Newport’s celebration is June 24–26 (visit https://www.newportout.com/newportpride). Boston’s is usually the first weekend in June, but has not been scheduled due to the organizing group dissolving last year.
Scores of students gather on the steps of Fairhaven High School on Friday 3/11/22 at 1 p.m. for a coordinated walkout to support LGBTQ+ students in response to legislation in Florida and Texas that targets LGBTQ+ people. Photo by Kelly Smith for the Neighb News.
Students hold up a sign saying “Gay” isn’t a bad word during a coordinated walkout at Fairhaven High School on 3/11/22 to support LGBTQ+ students in response to legislation in Florida and Texas that targets LGBTQ+ people. Photo by Kelly Smith for the Neighb News.
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