Schitt’s Creek’s Noah Reid blasts Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill: ‘It’s anti-human’
The actor, who played Patrick on Schitt's Creek says he hopes people will overcome "these draconian, ridiculous pursuits of hate and intolerance".
Words: Alastair James; pictures: Instagram/@schittscreek
Schitt’s Creek‘s Noah Reid has come out against Florida’s horrific ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill calling it “anti-human”.
The actor, 34, who played one-half of one of TV’s best-ever gay couples (Patrick in David and Patrick) was speaking to The Daily Beast about the impact that on-screen relationship had when he was asked about Florida’s anti-LGBTQ legislation.
The ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill or the Parental Rights in Education bill effectively bans discussions of LGBTQ topics in public schools for pupils aged 5-9 as well as teaching that is considered “not age-appropriate” for other students.
“I think it is anti-human”
Noah said of the bill: “I think it is anti-human, and I think it’s very sad that in this country where people are obsessed with freedom there seems to be a cognitive disconnect around who gets to experience freedom.
He continued: “But I have hope and faith that the people will be the deciding factor in these matters, and that we will overcome these draconian, ridiculous pursuits of hate and intolerance.”
Noah, who identifies as straight, added that when he was playing Patrick he didn’t want to play him ‘gay’.
“I thought, ‘What I can play is a man who falls in love with another man, and build that connection into the character’, the actor said.
Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis (a Republican) signed the bill in March saying that “parents have a fundamental role in the education, healthcare and well being of their children.”
Proponents have argued the bill is about parents’ rights.
Taking effect from 1 July, the law also allows parents to sue schools if they think the law has been broken. It’s been critiqued for being vague in its text about what exactly “discussion” means.
The bill is one of more than 200 bills proposed in states across the US, most of which target trans youth, according to the Freedom for All Americans group.
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