Broadway vets are sharing their support to the LGBT+ community in opposition of so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill, which was passed in the Florida legislature March 8. According to AP News, the bill would "forbid instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade."
The passing of this bill comes to the heel of Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott restricting trans rights through a state-wide order that requires child welfare agencies to investigate reports of gender-confirming care for youth as abuse.
Both of these attacks on LGBTQ+ rights have sparked a social media movement labeled "Say Gay" where members of the LGBTQ+ community, allies, and more are expressing their support. A few Broadway big-names and productions have contributed to the movement.
Six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald posted a video on Instagram of her "gay" vocal warm-up.
Openly gay actor Wilson Cruz, who starred as Angel in the Broadway production of Rent and Michael in the 2005 production of tick, tick... BOOM! at Rubicon Theatre Company in California, shared a video on Instagram. He reflects on the recently passed bill while sitting at the memorial for the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting.
He writes, "I found myself at #PULSE today only a few minutes after the #Florida legislature passed its violent #DontSayGay bill and sent it to @flgovrondesantis to sign. Almost 6 years after this national #lgbtqia tragedy, Florida has learned NOTHING about how to prevent another Pulse."
In his video, he includes a call-to-action to his followers, asking them to reach out to their legislatures to speak up against the bill and to donate to onePulse Foundation.
"#CompanyBroadway believes in freedom and equality for all and yes, we absolutely #SayGay," wrote Company on Twitter and Instagram. Broadway producer Tom D'Angora tweeted, "GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY! #SAYGAYFLORIDA," with a picture that reads, "say after me."
GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY! #SAYGAYFLORIDA pic.twitter.com/tJyLdRgmFf
— Tom D'Angora (he/him/his) #StillWithHer (@TomDangora) March 9, 2022
Broadway and TV favorite Cynthia Nixon wrote, "This bigoted legislation will create less inclusive classrooms and directly harm LGBTQ+ youth." Grand Horizon's Maulik Pancholy thanked "librarians, teachers, parents and students" who fight for access to LGBT+ literature, and Fun Home's Judy Kuhn called out Disney for trying to
"have it both ways."
The "Don't Say Gay" bill just passed the Florida Senate. This bigoted legislation will create less inclusive classrooms and directly harm LGBTQ+ youth. Let's support the LGBTQ+ community in Florida and around the country by stating #WeSayGay. 🌈 https://t.co/EeveMaTVxZ
— Cynthia Nixon (@CynthiaNixon) March 8, 2022
As an author of novels that center gay youth, I am incredibly grateful for all the librarians, teachers, parents and students who work hard — every day — to make sure that LGBTQ+ kids have access to books in which they can see themselves. #representationmatters#saygay
— Maulik Pancholy (@MaulikPancholy) March 9, 2022
Hey @Disney. This princess would like it if you did NOT support politicians who back #Florida’s anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. You can’t have it both ways. #justsaygay #disney https://t.co/CiXnPVwV0O
— Judy Kuhn (@JudyKuhn1) March 8, 2022
Tiny Beautiful Things' Nia Vardalos chimed in with "GAY. GAY! Hey Florida… we are all so gay and so happy being gay gay gay!"
GAY. GAY! Hey Florida… we are all so gay and so happy being gay gay gay! 🌈 https://t.co/zQmZiONuJv
— Nia Vardalos (@NiaVardalos) March 8, 2022
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Andréa Burns, Jonny Orsini, and Cady Huffman in The Nance
Sandra Oh and Jessica Hecht in Stop Kiss.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson and company of Take Me Out
Marcel Spears and Calvin Leon Smith in Fat Ham
Jordan E. Cooper in Ain't No Mo'
