Coco Gauff speaks out against Florida's anti-LGBTQ bill: Shouldn't 'have to hide who you are'

Florida native and tennis star Coco Gauff is speaking out against the state's newest bill that restricts speech in public school classrooms on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The "Parental Rights in Education" bill (HB 1557) – also known as the "Don't Say Gay" bill by people who oppose the legislation –  was passed by Florida lawmakers on Tuesday. 

"I'm against it," Gauff shared with reporters prior to Wednesday's match at the Indian Wells tournament in California. "I think these conversations are important, and for me who has friends in the LGBTQ+ community, I couldn't imagine not being able to talk about your identity. I feel that's something that is normal."

© Jay Calderon/The Desert Sun Coco Gauff laughs during practice at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, Calif., March 9, 2022.

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The bill is expected to be signed my Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and will be effective starting July 1. 

"Every (LGBTQ+) person I've known has known that they were part of that community since they were young," said Gauff. "I think it's important that they have those conversations in school, because that is supposed to be a safe space to talk about everything."

Gauff continued by drawing comparison of the bill to conversations of race surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement. 

"I think it was in 2019 or 2020 when I talked about the Black Lives Matter movement – I said it was important to have those conversations. Same stance on this," said Gauff. "I think it's important to have those tough conversations, and from the people that I spoke to who are part of the community, it definitely makes a difference when you don't have to hide who you are."

Contact Analis Bailey at aabailey@usatoday.com or on Twitter @analisbailey.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coco Gauff speaks out against Florida's anti-LGBTQ bill: Shouldn't 'have to hide who you are'