Zander Moricz
Zander Moricz | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2003 (age 22–23) |
| Occupation | Social activist |
| Known for | Graduation speech, fighting "Don't Say Gay" law |
| Website | http://www.seeourpower.org/ |
Zander Moricz is an American social activist. He gained prominence in 2022 for his graduation speech. He was told earlier that he could not talk about his orientation as a gay man, which he used his curly hair as an allusion to his orientation.[1]
Life
Moricz was born in Florida. He attended Pine View School and was the first gay class president, he was class president for 4 years. He credited his intention to run for class president in middle school with a conversation with a teacher.[2] He is attending Harvard University in a major in government, he is currently on break from studies.[3]
Graduation
Moricz graduated from Pine View in 2022, he was the speaker for his class. In his speech, he tells of his social activism through his years of rallying, gaining supporters, and being a plaintiff against the Parental Rights in Education Act, or more commonly known as the "Don't Say Gay" law. He makes an allusion to his curly hair to his orientation as a gay man and his struggle with his orientation of being closeted and homophobia.[2]
Moricz after his graduation discusses in a X thread prior to his graduation speech, his principal took him in and discussed that if he refers to his orientation or his social activism, the speech would be cut and graduation event cancelled. He described this as 'censorship' and being 'silenced' for his talking about his orientation.[1]
After discussing about his situation, he had gained support online from friends. Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, had given him a personal letter in support.[4]
Activism
In 2019, Moricz had founded the Social Equity through Education Alliance, formerly the Social Equity and Education Initiative, a student rights non-profit organization.[2][3][5]
In 2022, after the Parental Rights in Education Act passed in the Florida House and Senate, he hosted a walkout and rally against it. He gained support from Tom Kirdahy from the rally. Moricz later became a plaintiff after the law came into power.[2]
In 2023, Moricz called Sarasota Country School Board Member and co-founder of Moms for Liberty Bridget Ziegler to resign due to poor management as a board member. Ziegler was given other calls to resign due to a recent sex scandal.[6]
In 2026, Moricz hosted a protest against the Sarasota County School Board due to a proposal from Ziegler to have the district comply with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.[7]
References
- 1 2 News, A. B. C. "Florida high schooler who says he was censored in graduation speech speaks out". ABC News. Retrieved 2026-07-20.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - 1 2 3 4 "Pine View Graduate Zander Moricz Challenged His School and His State Over LGBTQ Rights". Sarasota Magazine. Retrieved 2026-07-20.
- 1 2 Redmond, Michaela (2025-01-24). "'It spawned my best moments and best days:' Zander Moricz looks back on graduation speech nearly three years later". www.mysuncoast.com. Retrieved 2026-07-20.
- ↑ "Pete Buttigieg Sends Gay High School Activist Heartfelt Letter | Advocate.com". www.advocate.com. Retrieved 2026-07-20.
- ↑ "SEE Alliance | Home". SEE Alliance. Retrieved 2026-07-20.
- ↑ Latifi, Fortesa (2023-12-19). "A 20-Year-Old Put the 'Moms for Liberty' Cofounder on Blast During School Board Meeting". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 2026-07-20.
- ↑ Lang, Mike. "See photos of students protesting ICE at Sarasota School Board meeting". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved 2026-07-20.