Will Phillips The Change They Fear the Most
Gay Pride San Antonio operates under the heading, “Pride Bigger than Texas,” but one of this year’s Grand Marshals for the parade comes in a small package. At 10 years old, Will Phillips took a stand (or rather sat down) in support of “liberty and justice for all.”
After attending a sermon at his church during which the minister discussed patriarchal pride versus matriarchal pride and made reference to the Pledge of Allegiance, Will asked his parents whether it would be considered a crime to not stand for the Pledge. His parents advised him that it was not a crime, so Will retuned to school on Monday, October 5, 2009, and remained sitting down as the rest of the students stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
The teacher, a substitute who knew Will’s mother and grandmother, attempted to get him to stand for the Pledge, but he refused. This scenario repeated the next day, and the next and ultimately landed Will in the Principal’s office.
His act of civil disobedience, which would later become a top story on CNN and other news outlets making him a media sensation and a GLAAD Award winner, was spawned by the lie he felt was contained within the Pledge, being that the United States provides “liberty and justice for all.”
“I've grown up with a lot of people and I'm good friends with a lot of people who are gay and I think they should have the rights all people should, and I'm not going to swear that they do,” then ten-year-old Will Phillips said of his decision to remain seated.
Although Will’s parents have supported his decision and are actively participating in the equality movement, Will’s classmates and some neighbors haven’t been as supportive. In fact, his classmates began bullying Will, calling him names like “gay wad.” One neighbor threatened Will for riding his bike in front of the neighbor’s house and called him a “f-ing f-ggot.”
In spite of these attacks, Will has continued speaking out against injustice at every opportunity, drawing comfort from others and his own devotion to progress. He and his family have continued building upon the “spark” that has become the modern day equality movement. Most recently, they attended the signing of a fully inclusive anti-bullying bill on invite of Arkansas Governor, Mike Beebe.
Will’s appearance as Grand Marshal in other pride parades did not go without notice from those who oppose equality for all people. The American Family Association called Will’s appearance at the Fayetteville Pride Parade, “a form of child abuse,” and stated, “[Will Phillips] is too young to understand. There is nothing about homosexual conduct to be proud of and much to be ashamed of.” However, during a recent speech referring generally to equality opponents, Will stated, “My generation is the change they fear the most.”
This point was reiterated by James Poindexter, one of the organizers of Gay Pride San Antonio who helped select Will as a Grand Marshal:
Will Phillips represents a new generation of activists. Our community has birthed a variety of activists starting with the Stonewall Girls and their ‘nellie knees’. We have seen [the] rise of LGBT lobbying groups and allied groups as well as Gay student alliances to the bold moves of activists like Robin McGehee and Dan Choi. And some say that we have become too quiet and lost out on the impact of our ‘Rosa Parks’ moment. Will is from a new generation of activists that is bringing a whole new vision to our movement. A new generation of young people are coming of age [and] almost appear shocked that LGBT people are treated differently. It might sound silly, but children really are our future and Will and his generation could potentially turn the tide against which our people are swimming. Gay Pride SA has always welcomed the youth through our work with local universities. Will Phillips will hopefully reach a newer generation and inspire them to ‘be the change they wish to see.’
Will has appeared in the Nick News Special, “MLK: Beyond ‘I Have a Dream’” and made numerous speeches on behalf of equality. He has served as Grand Marshal of Mid-South Pride in Memphis, Tennessee and the Fayetteville, Arkansas Pride Parade. He looks forward to “the feel of seeing a large pride parade” when he attends Gay Pride San Antonio on July 2, 2011. We look forward to showing Will that pride really is bigger in Texas.
For more information on Gay Pride San Antonio, please visit http://www.gaypridesa.org.
|
|
Tweet |
|