ORLANDO, Fla. — Thousands of Florida students across the state have taken part in the Walkout 2 Learn Rally.

The rally comes after a number of policy changes dealing with LGBTQ+ discussions in the classroom passed in Tallahassee. One non-binary student told Spectrum News that these new laws not only spread hate, but blatently discriminate against LGBTQ+ students.

Opposing the state's policies has become is Will Larkin’s new reality.

“I don’t want to be here either, trust me," Larkin said. "I have gone to so many rallies, I have been to Tallahassee weekly. It is hard every single time."

A Winter Park High School senior, Larkin is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns. They’re also a LGBTQ+ rights activist in Central Florida.

“Like most activists I got involved over pure survival,” said Larkin.

Larkin said the bullying started during their junior year of high school. Larkin said the school administration didn't help so they took it to the school board.

“Ever since then, I can see the impact I can make," Larkin said. "Being a part of it, I’ve seen how important it is to show up and show that people are fighting for them."

But ever since Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Parental Rights in Education law, known to critics as the "Don’t Say Gay" bill, Larkin said the classroom and the bullying have gotten worse.

“I’m used to being called slurs and homophobia — I’m used to it as long as I can remember," Larkin said. "But I’ve never been called a groomer until this year."

Now Larkin is spreading their message on social media and giving speeches at rallies, like Friday’s Walkout 2 Learn Rally, to make sure people understand how the legislation affects individuals in an Orlando school.  While Larkin can go home to a supportive family, that’s not the reality for every LGBTQ+ student.

“I fear for those students," Larkin said. "There’s a reason that the LGBTQ+ suicide rate is so much higher than the CIS gender heterosexuals suicide rate. And it’s only going to get so much worse."

While Larkin graduates this year, they aren’t giving up the battle to protect the LGBTQ+ community.

“I was originally planning on leaving the state for college because that was always my plan. But I don’t think I’m done fighting yet,” said Larkin.

Larkin told Spectrum News that many of their queer friends are thinking of leaving the state over these policies. Larkin is planning to continue to rally, not only in Orlando, but around the state.