Non-binary student, 12, 'stomped on' for displaying Pride flag during picnic at school

A non-binary student was stomped on for displaying a rainbow Pride flag during a picnic with some friends at school.

Leo Hoffman was physically attacked during the incident at Seminole Middle School, Florida, which led to multiple students being suspended.

The 12-year-old was having lunch with some classmates on May 28 when a male student grabbed one of their Pride flags and threw it in the rubbish bin, Leo's father Benjamin Hoffman told BayNews9.

Leo then went to retrieve the flag and put it on their back as a cape, but shortly after a fight began.

The same male student grabbed the flag again, which resulted in Leo being knocked to the ground, stepped on and covered in water.

Leo was dragged to the floor, stomped on and had water thrown on them (Twitter)

Talking about the incident, Leo’s father, Benjamin Hoffman said: "Leo was frightened.

"Not so much for themselves but for their friends. Leo is very strong and would do anything to protect their friends."

Mr Hoffman added: "I hate to see someone’s kid expelled from school. But you can’t lay your hands on another person. It’s just not acceptable."

The heinous attack was filmed on a phone and was viewed thousands of times after being published online.

In the video, some students can be seen trying to step in, while others try to retain the Pride flag.

One student also seems to kick another in the stomach.

Following the incident, several students were suspended, school officials said (Twitter)

Publishing the clip, Leo's sister Ashleigh wrote: "This is a video of my little sibling Leo who is non-binary being drug to the ground, stomped on, and covered in water just for wearing a pride flag at school."

Later, Ashleigh tweeted again to thank "everyone who had called" the school to complain about the incident.

Officials at Seminole Middle School in Largo said the students who stole the flag have been suspended and that some would be reassigned to other schools, The Washington Post reports.

A spokesperson for the school said: "We teach our students to accept and respect everyone for who they are.

"This is a district that values diversity and promotes inclusion."

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office told the publication it has opened an investigation into the incident.

School district spokeswoman Isabel Mascareñas told the Tampa Bay Times : "The students’ behavior was inappropriate and unacceptable, and they were disciplined for it.

"Pinellas County schools does not tolerate this behaviour. The school district welcomes everyone and we teach students to respect and accept others."

Seminole Middle School is reportedly planning to introduce an anti-bullying programme when students return later this year.