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Queer actor Johnny Sibilly, 34, is the latest celebrity to comment about efforts to ban discussion on LGBTQ topics in schools.
Sibilly appeared in Pose, Hacks and will soon feature in the reboot of Queer As Folk. He was raised in Florida. He took to Twitter after the state passed HB 1557. It’s officially called the “Parental Rights in Education” bill but has been commonly dubbed the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill.
Sibilly said he wished he’d felt free to talk about being gay whilst he was younger.
“Thinking about how if I could’ve said “GAY” growing up maybe I would’ve had a cute school boyfriend & not been meeting up with way older men to give blow jobs in Honda civics to learn how to be gay,” he tweeted.
Thinking about how if I could’ve said “GAY” growing up maybe I would’ve had a cute school boyfriend & not been meeting up with way older men to give blow jobs in Honda civics to learn how to be gay.
— JOHNNY SIBILLY (@JohnnySibilly) March 15, 2022
He followed it up with a further tweet, saying: “and to be clear I’m VERY pro cruising but that is NOT a place for non-adults.”
A couple of hours later, following some of the comments he received, he posted again, saying: “And please with the ‘I was still a little hoe’. You’re missing the point of what a healthy understanding of your sexuality is and learning things through risky behavior fueled by scarce resources.”
Many men responded bemoaning their own lack of information when they first began to explore their sexuality.
💯 if being gay or bi hadn’t been branded as “the fringes of society” and been more positively included in mainstream of society, I don’t think I would’ve felt like my only options were to hook up with 30-yr old men while I was in high school
— Thotty Pippin 🇺🇦 (@littlegaysquid) March 15, 2022
I’m not saying it’s entirely because of this but I also believe this is a big reason why we end up having a really hard time building healthy relationships, and have a very altered perception of ourselves and sex as our only known way to form emotional connections
— Carlos (@carlospajizo38) March 15, 2022
I think about the men who fully knew I was 15 and wonder where they are today
— lyle (@Lylexxxx) March 15, 2022
100. I think often how lucky I am that nothing worse happened to me.
— Daddy Drew🇺🇸🇲🇽 (@HimboNumber9) March 15, 2022
Amen to this, and I often think about how our generation’s only outlet to see authentic depictions of gay men was in porn; There were so few authentic instances of queer people playing queer characters in media.
— Little Kiwi (@RadReputationXX) March 15, 2022
Them Craigslist ads were the worst education 😩
— Nick (@nickidavanzo) March 15, 2022
This is what generational trauma looks like from a community perspective. It teaches us risky behavior and bad coping skills for building long-lasting healthy relationships. It also put us in dangerous situations as minors with older men that fully knew we were minors.
— Escort Missions (@EscortMissions1) March 15, 2022
Exactly, I can’t even remember all the men I had sex with just to feel some human warmth. Results: several STDs and a destroyed self-esteem. My whole teen years are a black hole. Just wasted life
— Carlos (@carlospajizo38) March 15, 2022
Related: Tornado hits home of Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ lawmaker
GOP Florida lawmakers claim HB 1557 will help parents control what their children are taught in school. This message has been parroted by some gay people on the right.
On Monday, Brandon Straka, who was recently sentenced to home confinement for his role in the January 6 insurrection, hosted a “Don’t Say ‘Don’t Say Gay’” panel discussion on Twitter. Supportive of HB 1557, it featured the bill’s author, Rep. Joe Harding and Governor Ron DeSantis’ official spokesperson, Christina Pushaw.
Related: Gay Trump supporter brags about attending Capitol riot on social media, gets arrested by FBI
On lesbian media site After Ellen this week, editor Jocelyn Macdonald said: “‘Don’t Say Gay’ bills, or as sane people like to call them ‘Anti-groomer bills’ are the best thing that could happen to gender nonconforming children and gay parents in the current climate of gender identity ideology.”
The bill is now awaiting signing by Florida’s Governor, DeSantis. He has already indicated that he supports it.
HB 1557 has been criticized by all major LGBTQ advocacy groups. A spokesperson for HRC said, “These bills shamefully attack and endanger LGBTQ+ students who are just trying to get a quality education, whom the state has an obligation to treat fairly and protect.
“LGBTQ+ Floridians are more than twice as likely to experience depression or anxiety compared to non-LGBT Floridians. Governor DeSantis must veto HB 1557.”
An ABC poll this week found that six out of ten Americans also opposed such legislation.
Watch a video of Sibilly speaking out against the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill below.
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Chrisk
“maybe I would’ve had a cute school boyfriend & not been meeting up with way older men to give blow jobs”
If you think it’s bad now think of the 80s/90s when I was coming out. I kissed allot of older frogs myself. At least now kids have the internet and social media. We had absolutely nothing.
Polaro
Normalizing lesbian and gay relationships at an early age is very important. The damage inflicted on kids is, unfortunately, life long. I prefer he could have made the point without being so ageist, but it is what it is. Everyone gets older and what no one talks about is the emotional damage inflicted on older LGBT people by people thinking we’re frogs.
SamB
This guy must be joking. He knew what being gay meant if he went for those older men.
This bill references K to 3!!!!! That is 4 to 8 years old. We’re not talking about kids closing in on sexual maturity. Plus it doesn’t ban anything, it just means if the subject comes up it has to be dealt with in an age appropriate manner. I don’t think anyone has actually read the thing.
Cam
The right wing troll lying.
The preamble of the “Don’t say gay” bill says: “the aim of the authors is to prohibit “classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Translation, if a teacher mentioned that Pete Buttigieg has a husband, they will be fired.
Besides, since you’re a known right wing troll who is always defending things that harm the LGBTQ community, the fact that you’re defending this bill so rabidly pretty much shows how hateful and bigoted the bill is.
The Accidental Polemicist
You’re right, they haven’t read the bill. If they had, there would not be all this hysteria.
SamB
Cam: This is the FULL sentence.
“prohibiting classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in certain grade levels or in a specified manner”
You are the liar.
jcool
acci polem
that’s not necessarily true. i never read all of samb posts, yet i understand what a fool he is. he probably got a total boner that i mentioned his name, and his alter ego marcy is all jealous.
Cam
@SamB
I posted the exact wording of the preamble. But it’s adorable you keep trying.
Also, troll, one problem with your constant posting on here. If that bill REALLY didn’t attack the LGBTQ community, you wouldn’t be on here under multiple names trying to defend it. The only things or people you defend, are those that attack LGBTQ people.
By your own advocacy, you give away just how bigoted this bill is.
As always, your trolling is sad and weak.
SamB
Cam: Keep lying. I posted it exactly as it was in the bill. You tried to trick us but you failed. Now everyone will know you’re a liar.
Bosch
I’ve read it, Sam. I read it the first time we debated about it.
You’re a fool if you think the religious bigots and conservative homophobes will interpret the law the way you pretend to interpret it.
This is the country where it’s legal to refuse service to gay people.
This is the country where it’s legal to fire someone for being gay.
This is the state where they have laws about putting money in a parking meter if you tie your alligator to it.
You’ve demonstrated many times that you don’t empathise with most people, so why should your opinion on child development be worth anything? Children are sensitive and malleable, and treating them badly could lead to them becoming like you.
SamB
Bosch: This is what I think about forcing people to sell to everyone: a small mom and pop place should have more leeway than a big corporation. If you had a cake shop and someone came in wanting you to make a racist cake (nothing violent or illegal) should you be forced to?
As far as the alligator law EVERY PLACE has stupid laws on the books. Where I grew up it’s illegal to whistle in public.
This whole “you lack empathy” is getting tiresome. Because I don’t have empathy for the same things you do, that is the problem for you.
Bosch
That’s not how empathy works. You’re thinking of sympathy.
Empathy is the understanding of emotions, reactions, perceptions, and consequences in people besides yourself.
A person can be empathetic but not sympathetic. That tends to be common in sociopaths. But a lack of empathy is common in narcissists. Has anyone outside of internet fora ever called you a narcissist?
Bosch
Wait wait wait…. Mom and pop stores, who struggle against larger stores, would BENEFIT from refusing customers? According to you? That would somehow help them beat big business?
Jeebus Chrysler.
SamB
Bosch: There you proved me right. I have empathy because I can understand why people think a certain way, or at least assume so despite not knowing them. If I don’t sympathize with the same things as you, I’m a monster.
And as far as what you said about mom & pop shops….. what!?? Where did I say “Mom and pop stores, who struggle against larger stores, would BENEFIT from refusing customers? According to you? That would somehow help them beat big business?”
I didn’t even allude to that. OMG. Stop lying.
Bosch
No Sam. If you had empathy, you would understand what kind of effect it can have on gay and lesbian children to teach them that they are something shameful and inappropriate.
Also, I guess I misunderstood this part? “This is what I think about forcing people to sell to everyone: a small mom and pop place should have more leeway than a big corporation.”
Bosch
“If I don’t sympathize with the same things as you, I’m a monster.”
No, not a monster, a narcissist. Well? Has anyone outside of internet fora ever called you a narcissist?
SamB
Bosch: On what planet does my statement relate to yours?
Me: “This is what I think about forcing people to sell to everyone: a small mom and pop place should have more leeway than a big corporation.”
How you interpreted it: “Mom and pop stores, who struggle against larger stores, would BENEFIT from refusing customers? According to you? That would somehow help them beat big business?”
1. Did I say it would benefit them?
2. Did I say they would beat “big business” by doing this?
Why are you purposely misinterpreting my words?
Bosch
I’m not “purposely” misinterpreting anything. I even said I probably misunderstood.
Tell me what you meant then. Why should they have more “leeway”?
SamB
Bosch: A mom & pop shop should be able to pick and choose what they want to sell. The example I gave you: If you owned a bake shop and a customer wanted you to put a racist message on a cake you should be able to say NO. It’s not violently racist or illegal to say… just not in good taste. Should you be able to say no? What if someone comes in and wants to order cakes that have Trump’s face on it and reads, “Yay MAGA”! But you don’t want to make it? should you be forced to? I say who cares what a mom & pop shop refuses to do because there will be another shop more than willing to do it. People go to a small shop knowing it’s a personal business… going to a big supermarket or corporation is different because they have no moral stake in the game that’s how they got to be so big.
Bosch
Sam. You are comparing racism, which is explicitly and intentionally offensive, to same-sex love?
If you’re gonna pretend to be a gay man who isn’t brimming with internalised homophobia, maybe don’t pretend homosexuality is justifiably offensive.
SamB
Bosch: I don’t think being gay is “justifiably offensive”. Like you said, if I wanted a cake for my wedding and the small time baker said “no because you’re gay” I’d just say “fine”. It’s just not worth it. Maybe for someone younger that is a fight. I can go to a different cake shop. In the grand scheme of things that doesn’t matter and if someone breaks down as if this is the end of the world then I don’t think they’re thinking straight. Like you said that shop will get a bad reputation and they’ll probably go bankrupt… or not. And if not then who cares?
The Accidental Polemicist
@Bosch
“Empathy is the understanding of emotions, reactions, perceptions, and consequences in people besides yourself.”
Fine. Well then, do you have empathy for the parents who do not want instructors teaching their prepubescent children information that they feel they have no business, nor qualifications teaching them? Where is your empathy for the parents? Where is your empathy for the child that may not be ready for such issues? I wasn’t ready for those discussions at those ages. And I’m glad about that – thank you Mom and Dad.
These are not your children. They are not the property of the Florida educational system. Hopefully, they have a mom and dad that they go home to after school that are responsible for them.
I think the bigger question is, “Why do grown, non-family members want to discuss sexual matters with five year olds?”
The Accidental Polemicist
@SamB
@Bosch
SamB: “Like you said, if I wanted a cake for my wedding and the small time baker said “no because you’re gay” I’d just say “fine”. It’s just not worth it. Maybe for someone younger that is a fight. I can go to a different cake shop.”
I believe there was a discussion about narcissism. The narcissist would not say “fine”. The narcissist wouldn’t go to another cake shop; but SamB would.
Mister P
The bill is terrible and should not be defended.
Mister P
No one On here should be defending it.
The Accidental Polemicist
Said the one who hasn’t read it.
Cam
@ The Accidental Polemicist.
LOL!!! Awww, SamB, Marycy Mayer, BarryM, etc…. You’ve tried this same lie under all of your screenames. The preamble/Summary of the bill STATES…
“The preamble of the “Don’t say gay” bill says: “the aim of the authors is to prohibit “classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Translation, if a teacher mentioned that Pete Buttigieg has a husband, they will be fired.
And again, the fact that you, the anti-LGBTQ bigoted troll is on here virulently defending this bill proves how bigoted it is.
Bosch
Hey Polemicist, you feel like debating a psychologist who HAS read it?
Mister P
Here’s a new screen name for you: contrary douchebag.
BaltoSteve
What is very telling about all these folks, crowing about not teaching sex to 4-8 year olds and why this bill is so needed, is the inability to separate the intimate emotional relationship from the sexual act when it comes to LGBTQ+ people.
For some reason they have this delusion that the only thing that matters in LGBTQ+ relationships is putting person 1 body part A in person 2 body part B. They fail to recognize that at that age, “Mommy and Daddy are married” means these two people have a special intimate emotional relationship that is filled with love for these kids. “Aunt Tina and ‘Uncle’ Rob are dating,” means they is a special intimate emotional relationship between these two people.
And what this bill does, because it is subjective to the whims of the limited and bigoted understanding of the parents, is not allow teachers to discuss how when “Mommy and Momma are married” and “Uncle Sam is dating ‘Uncle’ Troy” is the same sort of intimate emotional relationship as the heterosexual equivalent.
GreekKeys
It wasn’t their inability to separate the intimate emotional relationship from the sexual act. It was ours. Just look at all the “Love Is Love is Love” stuff. Most of it is clearly about sex. We should be pro-sex, but categorizing sex as love is on us. They’re just using it against us. The gay community needs to be honest about how we set ourselves up with all our clever language games, thinking we’ll outfox them. We’re not always competely innocent victims, though apparently we love to be.
BaltoSteve
It really is cute about how hard you try to blame one group for the reputation that has been pinned to them for centuries by the majority. No, really, I commend you on your attempt at deflection and intellectual contortionism. Bravo! Oh, and welcome to this new screen name.
GrizzleyMichael
The governor of Florida is a total closet case, god he is so gay looking and he is jealous because he is so way in the closet. If he was gay he would be thrown out of the gay community he had to get conversion threapy
The Accidental Polemicist
This bill has been created because of school educators overstepping their bounds into areas of a child’s development that does not involve them.
If I was a parent (a gay one at that), I would definitely support this bill – I would demand it. No grown, non-family member is going to be discussing these issues with my child. That is my job when I feel my child is ready and mature enough to understand the topic at hand.
BaltoSteve
Prove it has happened or is happening. Please, show where early childhood educators are teaching children 4-8 about 2 dudes boning.
Bosch
The only people introducing children to sex are priests and republican politicians, Pole.
Tell me, why do you come to Queerty?
Bosch
‘If I was a parent (a gay one at that),’
Ok new levels of stupidity. Let me get this STRAIGHT. If you were a GAY PARENT you would support a bill that requires your child not discuss his GAY PARENTS at school?
Dumbass.
I’ve read the bill: NO discussion in K to 3. The “age-appropriateness” applies to higher grades. So you can’t lie your way out of this one.
Kangol2
I’ve read the bill several times. In addition to what Bosch and Cam identify there is this language I find very problematic: “prohibiting a school district from adopting procedures or student support forms that require school district personnel to withhold from a parent specified information or that encourage or have the effect of encouraging a student to withhold from a parent such information.”
So say that a young person realizes they are gay, bisexual, trans, nonbinary, queer, etc. but do not come out but start to experience or have experienced homophobic, biphobic, transphobic, or any other kind of anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, violence, etc. at home from a parent, and then speaks with a sympathetic school psychologist, teacher or principal, whether directly or via a “student support form” (i.e., survey, etc.), those school figures are required to report what the student said to the school officials directly to the parent. It’s now state law. This could endanger children who are LGBTQ, especially if they are living in violent anti-LGBTQ families.
The state legislators pushing this bill all but made this clear. They do not want any discussion of LGBTQ people and are basically endangering the lives of LGBTQ students enrolled in public schools in the state.
On a different note, Johnny Sibilly is a cutie.
Bosch
I’m seeing a lot of defense from the trolls that lefties want to “teach children sex” or whatever…
Let me just point out that this bill does NOT prohibit talking about sex. It ONLY prohibits talking about sexual orientation, wherein the word “sexual” refers to the sexes, not the act of sex.
So they’re clearly not interested in shielding their children from sex, as the trolls would have us believe.
SamB
Bosch: Do some research, Florida already mandates that a comprehensive health education including sex (straight and gay), are to start in Middle School, which include grades 6, 7, and 8.
Bosch
SamB: yes, that’s correct. So what is this new bill for? Hmmmmmmm?
Bosch
It’s going to be quite amusing to the readers that you start with “do some research”, and then you proceed to prove my point.
SamB
Bosch: No no no. Don’t try and twist this. You were claiming teachers could talk about straight sex to kids who are 4 years old but that is FALSE. The new bill was specifying gender identity and sexual orientation discussions in grade school are to be done at an age appropriate level and with parental knowledge. That is it. They obviously felt it necessary because many teachers were trying to circumvent what parents wanted their kids to learn.
Bosch
“You were claiming teachers could talk about straight sex to kids who are 4 ”
No I didn’t, Sam. I said the new bill isn’t about prohibiting discussing sex with kids. Learn to read.
SamB
Bosch: I don’t know what rabbit hole you are going down. This bill doesn’t prohibit anything. Show me where it says THIS can not be discussed!
Bosch
Are you drunk? The bill doesn’t prohibit anything? Your own words: “prohibiting classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in certain grade levels or in a specified manner”
Let me guess, you’re gonna pretend “or” means “unless”?
SamB
Bosch: Ok you got me there, the word prohibit does appear BUT with a caveat. If you read it, you know it means that parents need to be notified and the discussion needs to be in an age appropriate manner.