All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Leo Hoffman is 12 years old and just wanted to celebrate Pride with their friends. But when the Seminole Middle School student displayed a Pride flag at a school picnic, they were viciously attacked by other students, according to video acquired by Spectrum Bay News 9.
At the picnic, Hoffman was confronted by a male student, who grabbed their flag and threw it into the garbage. When Hoffman retrieved the flag and put it over their back like a cape, the same male student became even angrier. He then pulled the flag from Hoffman's arms, knocking them to the ground where they were kicked, stepped on, and dragged as other students joined in.
According to school officials, several students have been suspended after the incident, with some of them being reassigned to an alternative school.
"We teach our students to accept and respect everyone for who they are," Pinellas County Schools public information officer Isabel Mascarenas told Spectrum Bay News. "This is a district that values diversity and promotes inclusion."
According to Benjamin Hoffman, Leo's father, the 12-year-old is doing well, all things considered. "Leo was frightened," he said. "Not so much for themselves but for their friends. Leo is very strong and would do anything to protect their friends."
A video of the incident was shared on Twitter by someone identifying as Leo's big sister. (Warning: this video is highly disturbing and shows violence against children.) She also posted several updates and messages from the Hoffman family.
"I want to thank everyone for the tremendous outpouring of support for Leo," one message from Benjamin Hoffman reads. "The video has been shared on Twitter and at last look has over 205,000 views! So far 6 students have been suspended and I just received a call from the school principal and he stated he is recommending expulsion for some of them. We are still pursuing charges but are still getting resistance from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office."
The school has stated that it will be "reviewing and reinforcing" its school values in classes this week. Those values include respect, tolerance, cooperation, and diversity. The school also plans to implement a bully prevention program when the school year starts again in the fall.
RELATED | These Homophobic Karens Got the Most Hilarious, Epic Public Shaming Ever
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
39 male celebs who did full frontal scenes
38 LGBTQ+ celebs you can follow on OnlyFans
28 actors who showed bare ass in movies & TV shows
These pics prove that Maluma is still our supreme thirst trap king
26 LGBTQ+ reality dating shows & where to watch them
18 times male celebrities had to say they weren't gay
15 queens who quit or retired from drag after 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
15 Unforgettable Gay Kissing Scenes From TV & Movies
45 steamy celebrity Calvin Klein ads we'll always be thirsty for
Here's how long each Pit Crew hunk has been on 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
Latest Stories
A queer artist's journey from ballet to photography
10 of 'Love Island's most notable LGBTQ+ islanders
July 24, 2024
Matthew Macfadyen learned lots of colorful phrases from 'Deadpool & Wolverine'
'Deadpool & Wolverine' is foul mouthed fun—but how gay is it?
Give Benedict a male love interest in 'Bridgerton' season 4, you cowards!
All the 'Drag Race' queens on OnlyFans (& what they're showing)
MUNA's Katie Gavin is officially in her solo era, releases first single
Want to see Tessa's Testicles? 'Global All Stars' queen is now on OF
87 LGBTQ+ athletes we'll be rooting for at the 2024 Olympics
Trending stories
Most Recent
Recommended Stories for You
Mey Rude
Mey Rude is a journalist and cultural critic who has been covering queer news for a decade. The transgender, Latina lesbian lives in Los Angeles with her fiancée.
Mey Rude is a journalist and cultural critic who has been covering queer news for a decade. The transgender, Latina lesbian lives in Los Angeles with her fiancée.