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Teen Vogue exclusively presents the annual GLAAD 20 Under 20 list for 2025 honoring outstanding LGBTQ youth.
Why are LGBTQ youth so badass? Perhaps it’s the sheer volume of them — Gen Z indexes as the queerest generation to date, self-reporting at nearly 25% LGBTQ (Gallup, 2024). That fact alone brings the United States to over one and a half million queer youth, so there’s bound to be some admirable rebels among them.
Maybe it’s the internet, which has granted queer youth access to resources that elder queers couldn’t have dreamed of in their younger years, and helps young LGBTQ folks navigate gender and identity in a world that seems keen on withholding their truth from society at large. In the midst of rampant misinformation (with nary a content filter to be found) and a never-ending barrage of legislative restrictions and book bans, it seems inevitable that a newfound commitment to authenticity would emerge, bringing queer youth to TikTok and the streets to find what’s real.
Or, and this is perhaps most likely, it’s the reality that to be queer is to be a revolutionary; to look at what society deems appropriate, to face the not always unspoken decree of “This is how things have always been,” and reply, even at just a whisper, “But does it have to be?”
A pass through this year’s 20 Under 20 honorees — a roundup of young LGBTQ change makers who are shaping their industries and the world at large through work in politics, entertainment, faith, literature, and more — demonstrates that what makes this crop so metal is all of the above and then some. GLAAD and Teen Vogue will take you from a history-making television debut in Australia to the undoing of book bans in the state of Georgia, then over to California for a stint on the Coachella stage with a member of music’s hottest global girl group, all in time for homework before bed.
Meet our 20 Under 20 Class of 2025 — with stunning custom illustrations prepared by George Hilton III — and expect to be inspired, enlightened, and maybe even a little bit envious:
Annabelle White, 18, she/her, activist
Annabelle White’s resume is crowded with accolades. They range from inspiring, like organizing a queer prom for teens living in rural areas of her home state of Indiana, to downright astounding, like her recognition as a National Merit Scholar semifinalist by way of a perfect score on her PSATs. In every case, the through line is clear: her genius and passion.
Of Annabelle's many passions, leveraging technology for social change leads the charge. When she became aware of the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) classes at her high school, she tackled the problem at the source, starting a Girls Who Code program for fourth and fifth graders in the school district. There she teaches younger classmates to “be resilient and take risks,” and hopefully motivates enrollment in similar classes as students advance. Annabelle’s local approach is influential, but it addresses a problem that extends far beyond Indiana — as of 2025, women account for only 28.2% of the global STEM workforce.
Also a fearless advocate for LGBTQ people, Annabelle is the former president of her high school’s Gay Straight Alliance, and an It Gets Better Youth Voice member, a curated cohort of outstanding young people selected by the international internet nonprofit with opportunities that include leading workshops at SXSW, creating digital zines for the site, and speaking opportunities at queer summits worldwide.
Even with Annabelle's soaring achievements, her words of wisdom for LGBTQ youth include a note of respite: “Show up, speak out, create change — but don’t forget to rest.” Annabelle is now a first-year student at Johns Hopkins, where she is studying biophysics and computer science, and developing her crowd-sourced database on free period products in her local community.
Cameron Driggers, 20, he/him, student and economic justice advocate
Ron DeSantis’s absurd proclamation that Florida is where “woke goes to die” will never truly be the law of the land with youth activist Cameron Driggers on the case. In 2022, as the historic “Don’t Say Gay” bill made its way through the capitol, Cameron organized a walkthrough to show that he and his fellow hundred students from across the state would not stand by as the government attempted to ban classroom instruction about sexual orientation or gender identity.
That same year, Cameron turned up the heat and successfully ousted two anti-LBGTQ school-board members working in his county. Cameron's targets were both affiliated with the far-right extremist group Moms for Liberty, including the DeSantis-endorsed Jill Woolbright, who made waves when she called the police on a librarian simply for offering books with LGBTQ themes. But even with the governor's support, Woolbright was no match for Cameron’s strategy, which included student organizing, multiple digital ads, and a robust door-knocking campaign.
“Government corruption, erasure, and lawlessness are nothing new to me,” he tells GLAAD. “While so many have written off my state [...] I refuse to give up on a better future for Florida’s workers, families, and students.”
Three years later, Cameron Driggers has only deepened his impact in the Sunshine State. Now a student at the University of Florida, he has co-authored a student government resolution calling for a Green New Deal on campus for better jobs and investment in transformative climate action. It is the first-ever resolution of its kind passed in a public university in the US. This is all while he serves as the founder and executive director of Youth Action Fund, a statewide organizing center led entirely by Gen Z Floridians, which provides “capacity, coaching, training, and organizing tools to youth leading mutual aid, base-building, and policy campaigns in their communities.”
Of his advocacy, in which Cameron makes many astute calls to action, he says: “Forget the culture war, fight the class war.”
Chanel Stewart, she/her, 19, actress
When 19-year-old actress and model Chanel Stewart saw a casting notice for a Pixar series seeking “an authentic 14-year-old transgender girl to voice a transgender teenager,” she wasn’t just auditioning for a role; she was stepping into her destiny. For Chanel, it was important to seize the opportunity because she wants to “ensure that those in the community feel seen and understood.”
Chanel went on to make history as Pixar's first-ever transgender character/voice actress for her role as Kai on Disney’s animated series, Win or Lose. Her performance was so compelling that she earned a Children's and Family Emmy nomination.
Disney later decided to remove gender references from the character, a covert and disappointing decision that may have led some performers to keep quiet about the change — but Chanel wasn't about taking the L. She openly shared her feelings with Deadline in December 2024, stating, “I was very disheartened.… From the moment I got the script, I was excited to share my journey to help empower other trans youth. I knew this would be a very important conversation. Trans stories matter, and they deserve to be heard.”
Nonetheless, Chanel’s character Kai represents a message she wants to send to all LGBTQ youth: “Understand that you may not always be understood. What matters is how you feel about yourself, because trust, you are that girl. Always know that you matter and are loved.”
As for who motivated Chanel to pursue her dreams, bringing her to (for now) fledgling stardom, she attributes icon Laverne Cox’s role in Orange Is the New Black: “It takes so much courage and strength to be who you are authentically.… Her role truly changed my life, and my career goals.”
Dante Austin, 19, he/they, writer and actor
The Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA), with its nearly 4 million members, is understood to be one of “the most welcoming and inclusive” faith institutions across the country. It's no surprise, then, that given their position to affirm queer people rather than ostracize them (as many organized religious bodies do), someone as remarkable and confident as faith advocate Dante Austin has found his voice there.
Yes, the ELCA has an outstanding track record on LGBTQ issues — including its president going on the record to denounce anti-trans legislation on Transgender Day of Visibility — but what about other marginalized groups? Dante has that same question, and is unafraid to pose it loudly.
Here’s an example: Every three years the ELCA hosts a church-wide assembly that presents an opportunity for members to establish policy and address concerns within the clergy. Dante took the stage at this year’s assembly to speak in favor of a memorial created by his synod, “Stand for Palestinian Rights and End to Occupation of Palestine.” The assembly passed an amended version of the memorial after the presentation.
“I acknowledge the harm that the church as an institution has done to many people, and I do my part in making the sanctuary a safe space for all,” Dante tells GLAAD.
He also does that through Reformation 2022, a movement founded to reform the ELCA within the ELCA. The movement’s tenets, of which there are seven, feature several bold calls to action, including that the ELCA must “significantly give up space and power to Black, Indigenous, People of Color” and “to base its worth on how it treats its weakest members.”
When Dante’s not calling on the church to do better, he’s spreading the gospel of it. During COVID, he assisted with online Vacation Bible School instruction, and served as the face of his church's children’s ministry. After high school he took a gap year to serve as the primary script writer on his family's podcast, Sacred Storytime With Pastor Priscilla. Yes, faith runs in the family: Dante’s mom is an ELCA pastor.
“It is absolutely possible to be a person of faith and have a queer identity,” Dante proclaims. “In fact, for me, those two identities are intertwined and irretrievably linked.”
Evangeline MacDonald, 20, she/her, actress
Ever since she was a little girl, Evangeline “Evie” MacDonald knew that she was born in the wrong body. In a powerful op-ed for Metro, in which Evie describes her journey to life as a young woman, she wrote: “I felt more comfortable around girls, I loved playing with dolls, and I always wanted to wear dresses.”
Evie knew who she was with such certainty that even her family doctor said he’d been waiting for the call when the time finally came to explore transitioning. However, there was an unnecessary obstacle in Evie's way: At the time, in her home country of Australia, anyone with a gender dysphoria diagnosis — which she had received after meeting with three psychiatrists at the Royal Children’s Hospital — needed to go to court to receive authority to take medications like puberty blockers and hormones.
Evie made it through, and her access to transgender health care “genuinely saved [her] life.” After finally opening the door to a life that was truly hers, she vowed to hold the door open, and ensure that no other transgender kid would have to jump through as many hoops as she did. She and her family campaigned against the court approval needed for transgender health care, traveling to the capitol and speaking directly with members of Australia’s parliament. After a landmark case, it was ruled that transgender young people would no longer need to seek court authorization to access the lifesaving treatment Evie did.
And the actress’s impact doesn’t end there. She then went on to star as Hannah Bradford in First Day, an ABCME drama series following a young transgender girl starting high school after transitioning. Life imitated art as Evie imbued her character with the depth and vulnerability the role needed. The show went on to win a GLAAD Award and International Emmy Kids Award.
With such influence already, who could possibly act as Evie's biggest inspiration? None other than fellow 20 Under 20 alum Alex Consani. “She’s wonderful, and the work she is doing in breaking down stereotypes and educating others is amazing. She does it effortlessly,” Evie tells GLAAD. “She didn’t lose her spark, and at the times where I almost did, I was reminded that there were people like her out there who weren’t letting things get to them.”
Evan Wang, 19, he/him, poet
“Prodigy” is not a word to be used lightly. Rarely does one come across a young person so exceptional in their ability that it feels worthy to give them a title with such implications of greatness. Evan Wang, 2025 National Youth Poet Laureate — and the first male and East Asian to achieve this honor — is undoubtedly worthy of the word.
Here’s a brief excerpt of Evan’s “Bellflower,” inspired by Maggie Smith’s “Goldenrod,” and a message to teenagers, whom Wang feels share the echo chamber-like characteristics of a bellflower:
“Somewhere in our little lives, you are cashiering in a local supermarket. You are teaching karate to kids with autism, attending university for your family for the first time, performing poetry in the heart of a nation. And there is no choice for you but to bloom from the fist of protest, on the backs of politics, grasping for a friend’s hand while they are dragged into the sunset — disappeared into memory.”
See? We weren’t kidding. This talent has brought Evan vast critical acclaim, with bylines in Poetry Magazine, The Kenyon Review, Waxwing, and more. He’s been recognized by the White House, NPR, and YoungArts (among others), and he’s been invited to speak at the Smithsonian Institution, Google’s DeepMind Headquarters, and the US Department of Education. He is also the youngest recipient of the prestigious Drinking Gourd Chapbook Poetry Prize, established by Northwestern University’s Poetry and Poetics Colloquium and Northwestern University Press.
Yes, everyone wants a piece of Evan Wang, but what he really cares about is uplifting LGBTQ youth of color. He doesn’t mince words in his advice to them: “I want you to build a life so disgustingly successful, educated, and joyful that no one can ever take it from you. Because you own everything that is yours.”
Evan is now an undergrad at Harvard College, and awaiting the premiere of two major projects: his collection of poems, Slow Burn, and “Loving You From a Foreign Country,” a choral piece by the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia at Rodeph Shalom. Both will debut to the world in 2026.
Frances Anderson 18, she/her, actress and singer
With a new name and fresh focus, Frances Anderson is taking control of her narrative. Known to millions as Lily Tucker-Pritchett, the beloved daughter of TV’s iconic gay dads Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) and Cam (Eric Stonestreet) on the award-winning sitcom Modern Family, Frances is now stepping into the music world.
For a decade, she and her queer TV family helped shift mainstream culture and challenge stereotypes, so when it comes to visibility, Frances acknowledges the power it carries: “It’s the fact that we still have to advocate after all these years, when it should just be normalized. No group of people should have to feel that they’re seen differently from others just because they’re who they were meant to be."
This year, during Pride Month, Frances came out on TikTok, with a little help from one of her most memorable Modern Family scenes, when her character petulantly cries out to Mitchell and her step-grandmother Gloria (Sofia Vergara), “I’m gay, I’m gay!” In a perfectly meta moment, Frances used the audio from the scene and wrote in the video: “people keep joking so much about being gay, when I literally am, I’m bi.”
Frances Anderson’s newfound openness feels effortless and fearless, mirroring the creative and personal shift she experienced in high school. While in LA, she found her community among musicians, performing at house shows with friends, solidifying her love for the stage. This raw energy is now being channeled directly into her debut EP, Drown.
Frances hopes her music brings people together and inspires fans to live authentically, just as she’s learning to do in this new chapter of her life. “I’m shedding old skin and embracing something rawer, moodier, and unmistakably me,” she tells GLAAD. Drown dives into family, identity, heartbreak, and healing, all wrapped in a dreamy, indie-pop soundscape. With earlier singles like “Telephones and Traffic” and “Don’t Forget Me,” she’s already given listeners a glimpse of her songwriting depth, featuring raw lyrics such as:
“You have your questions / ask him / Cover the cracks, cover and condemn me for / for who I was then.”
The performer hopes to inspire LGBTQ youth navigating their own journeys. “Find your people!” she says. “Whether that’s friends or family, it’s always good to have a support system or someone you can go to — even finding one person who you can trust can help so much.”
Isabella Zollner, 20, she/her, activist
Following the devastating murder of Matthew Shepard, the world reckoned with how to face the horrifying repercussions of unchecked homophobia. In the nearly 30 years since that injustice, and though nothing will ever restore a life lost, much good has emerged to sustain his legacy: the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in 2009; and a striking play, The Laramie Project, which is still professionally produced across the globe and in educational settings, effectively relaying the harms of prejudice and violence with verbatim testimony from citizens of Matthew’s hometown.
Dennis and Judy Shepard, Matthew’s parents, went on to found the Matthew Shepard Foundation (MSF), where they amplify Matthew’s story to “inspire individuals, organizations, and communities to embrace the dignity and equality of all people.” MSF has now given a home and creative outlet to Indiana’s Isabella Zollner, who has become an integral part of the undying effort to spread Matthew’s light.
An employee of the foundation for seven years, Isabella acts as managing editor of Matthew’s Place, the foundation’s crowd-sourced LGBTQ blog, and as their social media consultant, where she creates all of the site’s content, including TikToks on happenings and hot takes within the queer zeitgeist, from the first out transgender cheerleader in the NFL to the subversive and political nature of Broadway’s Oh, Mary!
Isabella found advocacy as a result of her own experience with bullying. A lifelong Hoosier, she is proud to be a visible LGBTQ advocate after her initial struggle. “There should be queer people in leadership positions of every institution and sector in the world,” Isabella tells GLAAD. “This is how we achieve equality, and how we promote the next generation of leaders. I hope to be this role model, and to help others pursue the same ambition.”
Matthew’s Place is one area for community, but Isabella’s advice to all LGBTQ youth is to find your people. “Even if it’s small or online or only meets once a week at the local Pride center, find your community. One of the worst things a person can be is alone," she says, "and you are the only one who can keep yourself from that fate. Pursue your interests boldly and wear your identity with pride, so that your community will always know you are one of them.”
Want to pitch a piece for Matthew’s Place? Below, see how with instruction from Isabella Zollner herself:
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Kimberly Mendez, 20, she/her, researcher and advocate
Currently a neuroscience and behavior student at Barnard College, researcher and community advocate Kimberly Mendez has built her life from the ground up with one goal: being a visible inspiration for queer and Latine youth in STEM. A first-generation, queer daughter of Guatemalan and Salvadoran immigrants, Mendez has had a front-row seat to “the inequities that shape who gets seen, heard, and supported,” in the US.
That's why she decided to take matters into her own hands. In high school, she became a powerhouse advocate for Latines, strategically building leadership and policy comprehension as a delegate for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute (PRHYLI). She debated legislation at the New York State Assembly, and developed an in-depth understanding of systemic frameworks. She ran with this knowledge to defeat the system — or, really, its expectations of her — to pursue her dream of being a neuroscientist.
Kimberly has now participated in competitive research programs at UC Irvine and Penn State, exploring how cellular processes and learning systems shape brain function. Currently, you can find her volunteering at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, supporting research on cognition and behavior.
Her biggest inspiration is the late astronaut Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, who quietly shattered boundaries. The revelation of Ride's long-term partner Tam O’Shaughnessy after Ride’s passing made her the first known lesbian in space, cementing Ride's legacy as a dual trailblazer in science and LGBTQ history.
Kimberly keeps her legacy front and center, working with initiatives like Lost Women of Science, conducting archival research to amplify the overlooked contributions of women whose stories reshaped science but were never recognized. “Sally Ride's story reminds me that queer people have always shaped science, even when they didn’t feel safe being out," she explains. “She motivates me to be visible now so future queer scientists never feel they must hide to succeed.”
Lara Raj, 20, she/her, musician
Described by Vogue as “the desi pop baddie you’ve been waiting for,” the world let out a collective exhale when KATSEYE’s Lara Raj first appeared on our screens in 2023. Never in reality competition history has a person’s position as a winner felt so guaranteed as when Lara smiled coyly into the camera for her Pop Star Academy introduction.
Some context: Raj competed for her spot in a global girl group via an international competition originally disguised as a K-pop style training academy. Her journey to this debut — while competing alongside dozens of other profoundly gifted young women — was chronicled in a YouTube series that was then repackaged and premiered on Netflix. The entire operation was put together by record labels Hybe and Geffen, the masterminds behind K-pop supergroups BTS and Le SSerafim; and superstars Camila Cabello and Olivia Rodrigo, respectively.
A stunning vocalist, Lara had built a devoted audience online, posting covers on TikTok and Instagram. In the early days of the competition, the team was concerned with the current crop, and said they were missing “a vocalist that would sell out stadiums” during their search. Enter: Lara Raj. Her fellow contestants, even before her arrival, viewed her as a threat — and they were right. The singer ranked number one vocally upon entry among the cohort.
Born to Tamil parents from India, Lara has been training as a performer for decades, attending the prestigious Professional Performing Arts School and LaGuardia High School (the OG Fame school, for those in the know) in New York City. Openly queer, a gifted music producer, and a certified triple threat, Lara’s energy is impossible to resist. She’s that girl, and she knows it.
On the heels of a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, when the public is asked if they want more of Lara Raj, the answer is obvious: “Yes!”
Lily Scheckner, 19, she/her, poet and human rights activist
Few understand the power of story quite as well as Lily Scheckner. The filmmaker and writer has been given a seal of approval by a drove of institutions, public figures, and publications, including The Penn Review, CSPAN, and Congressman Jamie Raskin.
Lily’s breadth of work is vast, in one piece investigating the fate of women in war-torn lands (“the bush is for the animals, not for the people,”) and in another exploring the legacy of her name amid the trauma of a car crash (“my backseat baby or my last name”). Those pieces earned her first place in the Peace & Conflict category by the Pulitzer Center, and a 2024 Scholarist Art & Writing Award, respectively. In the poem that landed her the title of Montgomery County’s Youth Poet Laureate, “Terms of surrender to my older reflection: a dialogue,” she wrote:
"You aren't yet used to washing blood from your hands in a gas station bathroom.
War has changed you. Etched itself in the canyons of your cuticles and dusty lashes and your half-modeled spots.
Or maybe that's just years making divots in your shoulders.
I caution you not to mistake your youth for beauty."
Clearly a revered artist, Lily Scheckner does not take her platform lightly. She has also used her talents to call on the United States government to protect victims of revenge porn and other forms of cyber sexual abuse. In the short film Wielding S.H.I.E.L.D: How Congress Can Protect Our Sexual Dignity, she unwaveringly tells viewers: “In 2016, 10 million Americans, mostly women, reported being victims of cyber sexual abuse. The numbers rose steadily with more than a 100% increase over the next year.” Wielding S.H.I.E.L.D was selected to screen in NYC, in partnership with AMC, as part of its run at the All American High School Film Festival.
“Right now we’re teetering on the edge of a world in which you might not get the chance to speak so freely,” she tells GLAAD. “Attend protests, lobby your legislators, and do your research. It is up to you to speak up not only for yourself, but for people in other marginalized groups who can’t do the same.”
Megan Skiendiel, 19, she/her, musician
Megan Skiendiel, unofficial fan favorite of global girl group (and newly Grammy-nominated) KATSEYE, contains multitudes. One minute she’s quirky and irreverent, making silly faces and voices for the camera during the group’s beloved Instagram lives, and the next she’s fierce and seductive, executing a demanding and invigorating dance break onstage at Coachella to a crowd of thousands. She even beats herself up after said dance break for making a minuscule, arguably imperceptible, mistake — she is just that dedicated.
Also a highly favored competitor in Pop Star Academy, the contest that spawned KATSEYE, Megan is the full package: She’s an excellent singer, a superb dancer, and a supremely hard worker. Fans of the show remember her vocal-breakout moment in Mission 3, when Megan flawlessly executes the high note in the Demi Lovato track “Confident,” seconds before voguing, whipping her hair, swinging her hips and flexing her muscles while she belts.
She came out in June of this year during one of the aforementioned livestreams, with encouragement from fellow queer member and 20 Under 20 honoree Lara Raj. Reactions from stans ranged from unconcerned (“oh we knew” wrote one X-user when the news broke) to inspired (“in the world where homophobia is on the rise seeing two queer girls happy and exited [sic] about their queerness is genuinely heartwarming, I wish them all the best” wrote another). “I’ve just felt so loved the second that I decided to come out as bisexual,” Megan told Teen Vogue at the annual Teen Vogue Summit.
The performer has acknowledged that out LGBTQ K-pop stars are rare, and that she was “a little scared,” but her fans — known as Eyekons — were “so, so loving,” and she is “so, so grateful.” The raucous cheers and applause that followed her answer to what sharing her truth felt like confirms that the world indeed loves Megan, perhaps even more so now that she’s out and proud.
Mia Miller, 20, she/they, student and disability rights advocate
Growing up, Mia Miller didn't always feel like she belonged. However, it was understanding the power of her ancestors that led her to tap into a life of social justice and service.** **Now they're a youth activist and disability rights educator with major main-character energy. As Mia puts it, they’re showing up as “the person that younger me wished they had.”
Their journey in activism flourished in 2023, when Mia linked up with the Youth Voices program at It Gets Better, which uplifts outspoken and influential LGBTQ youth around the globe. Through that program, Mia was connected with Teen Vogue to celebrate National Coming Out Day with a vulnerable op-ed about her journey to stepping out of the closet and into her light. In the writing, excerpted below, Mia powerfully reckons with queerness and religious identity, closely detailing how she came out, piece by piece, first to her sister, then to the whole family:
“Were the warm, fuzzy feelings for my friend just platonic or were they something more? Why did I never share my ‘boy crush’ at sleepovers? I liked to dress in pink and do my makeup, but any label I tried using to define my identity felt wrong. On top of these thoughts, I was often confused about the messages of Islam and religion, like that not being heterosexual may be considered haram, or a sin. I often heard from my community that it was okay to have thoughts about being queer, but acting on it was forbidden.”
Since then Mia Miller hasn't stopped pushing for change. From speaking at the US Capitol on transgender rights for BIPOC trans youth, to hitting the stage at South by Southwest EDU to educate folks on disability ally-ship, their impact is vast and recognized. In addition to Teen Vogue, they’ve been featured in Essence and USA Today for their work as an advocate for queer youth of faith, which Mia does with help from LGBTQ nonprofit Beloved Arise. They’ve even received a Presidential Volunteer Service Award and a Certificate of Accomplishment from the Princeton Prize in Race Relations, a prestigious program that “recognizes high school students who have demonstrated leadership in advancing racial equity.”
Want to keep up with Mia Miller? Check out their bookstagram @thelittlefairylibrary, a “safe space for all” where diverse stories are shared with hundreds of followers as they read their way through life.
Micah Leroy, 19, he/it, disability and accessibility rights activist
“It’s possible to be disabled and trans”: That’s what is at the heart of Micah Leroy’s mission, and he’s devoted to making sure everyone knows it. Micah has cerebral palsy, which affects his movement, balance, and posture.
“I cannot walk and also have a speech impediment and must rely on other individuals to assist me with numerous tasks,” Micah tells GLAAD. “I have a device in my head called a Deep Brain Stimulator, which helps me manage my movements more.”
Micah Leroy was 14 when he discovered his true gender identity. At a student LGBTQ group, he was asked his pronouns, and the idea that it was up to him was completely foreign and eye-opening: “That's how I knew I was trans.” He took to YouTube to educate himself on what that meant, and how he could live his life as the person he was born to be. It’s there that he learned about transgender health care and how to access it.
Recognizing the transformative power of digital storytelling, Micah chose to throw his hat in the ring and share his transition journey openly online. His visibility quickly drew negative attention from right-wing commentators, including Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines, who launched a wave of targeted harassment. Their campaign of transphobia and ableism ultimately pressured Meta to shut down Micah's Facebook and Instagram account. With help from GLAAD, Meta reinstated Micah's Instagram account, where he continues to share his journey.
Even in the face of hate and hostility, he refused to be silenced: “I am publicly sharing my experience as a disabled adult and as a transgender man with cerebral palsy.”
Now a freshman at the University of Minnesota, Micah is actively shaping his future by creating a major in disabilities studies, LGBTQ studies, and political science, with the goal of one day holding office in the Minnesota Legislature or Congress.
His greatest inspiration? Minnesota State Representative Leigh Finke, who made history in 2022 by becoming the first openly trans woman elected to the Minnesota Legislature. Meeting her on Transgender Day of Visibility in 2023 was a turning point for Micah. “Until that day, I believed there were no openly trans people in Minnesota's state government, and that showed me trans people can be leaders in government.”
Naima Starr, she/her, 20, student, BIPOC activist
Naima Starr is a self-described artist, activist, and alchemist. Finding power through dance at Rayn Fall Dance Studio when she was just three years old, Naima grew up and continued her quest for high artistry and self-discovery at Muse 360, a youth organization in Baltimore that supports and empowers young creatives.
EMBED: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpX-zMYBERc
A natural-born leader, Naima’s many initiatives all embrace using self-expression as a tool for social change, with a through line of “reclamation, radicality, and reverence.” She’s the founder of Soulra, a creative agency that’s amplifying Black experiences across art, performance, literature, and design, and acts as co-president of Afrekete, a Black feminist and queer collective celebrating identity and community. She also co-envisioned the New Generation Scholars: Black Femme Freedom School, a free program that introduces Black feminism to youth through powerful workshops like political zine-making and creative writing. Lastly, Naima was also a featured designer for the 2025 Atlanta Fashion Week x Adidas Originals collaboration. Her collection, “Adorn Me,” was a whole moment, honoring ancestral traditions of Black women through articles like cowrie shells and gold.
For Naima — who is also a junior at Spelman College majoring in philosophy with a minor in dance and choreography while juggling all of the above — being a visible Black queer advocate is about making history: “I want future generations of Black queer people and allies to see tangible proof of who was doing the work, how we did it, and why it mattered.”
Reece Johnson, 19, he/him, student, youth engagement activist and organizer
On paper, Ohio isn’t exactly nailing it when it comes to LGBTQ rights. An anti-trans bathroom bill was recently signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine, requiring K-12 schools and colleges to have students use bathrooms that match their sex assigned at birth. There are no statewide protections for employee discrimination on the basis of gender or sexual identity, and, while it hangs in the balance, a robust bill proposing a ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth and a ban on trans girls and women participating in sports has been ravenously making its way through the government for a while now.
Enter Reece Johnson, a bright light in an otherwise dark legislative corner of the country. He is the founder of Haven 470, an initiative dedicated to fostering community support and empowerment for the LGBTQ community.
“In a small, conservative town, I often felt unseen and unheard,” Reece tells GLAAD. That’s what led him to create a safe space in Waverly, a village with just over 4,000 people, nestled in the overwhelmingly red Pike County. And while places like this might be where anti-LGBTQ sentiment goes to thrive, he believes it doesn’t have to be that way.
“My work is shaped by the idea that we all share the same humanity and that promoting understanding, acceptance, and inclusion will help benefit everyone,” he explains. And even though Reece has found a place for himself at Kent State University, where he’s enrolled as an LGBTQ Studies major (the first of its kind in the state), he is committed to lending a hand to rural queers three hours away from where he now lives.
Haven 740 hosts LGBTQ movie screenings, posts messages of support on Facebook (“Remember to check in on yourself and your people today, kindness goes a long way <3,” wrote Reece in one post), and shines a light on awareness campaigns like National Coming Out Day, Asexual Awareness Week, and local free HIV testing. Earlier this year, the group hosted a blacklight yoga event.
With just shy of 300 followers, the group's impact is felt by the community. “As a retired Unitarian Universalist minister who recently moved to Waverly, I am very happy to see this group. Thank you Reece and all others involved,” wrote one Facebook user. Wrote another, “Thank you for the space to connect and have some amazing conversations!!!”
Keep up with Reece Johnson and his small but mighty efforts in rural Ohio by following Haven 740 here.
Ritvik Ranjan 17, he/him, student, anti-censorship activist and organizer
With unwavering resolve, high school student and champion of intellectual freedom Ritvik Ranjan confronts censorship at its core by undoing book bans at the source. A tired but resurfaced move from right-wing playbooks, book bans, which often target LGBTQ and race-related stories, are a dangerous form of anti-LGBTQ action, systemically erasing queer visibility in educational and public spaces under the guise of “parental rights.”
Fortunately, Ritvik is on the front lines, and now has a track record of winning. His biggest success came during his tenure as president of his school’s State Champion Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl (HRRB) team. The HRRB is a statewide Georgia academic competition where students are quizzed on award-nominated books. When organizers quietly removed eight assigned books, mostly by LGBTQ authors, Ritvik and Vidya Sinha, a friend and fellow 20 Under 20 honoree, launched a winning, statewide anti-censorship campaign. They mobilized dozens of students, gathered messages of support from authors of the actual banned books, and organized a community petition with over 300 signatures. This overwhelming pressure led the organization to reverse its decision and reinstate the challenged books.
On the heels of this success, Ritvik urges LGBTQ youth to stand up for what they believe. “Every major movement started with one person refusing to stay silent,” he says. “Be that person. Your action, no matter how small, is a powerful contribution to our collective freedom.”
Who gave Ritvik the fire to push back against censorship? None other than 2022 20 Under 20 alum Cameron Samuels: “Cameron’s tireless fight against book banning in Texas showed me that students are the most effective voice in defending the right to read, ultimately inspiring the successful reinstatement of the HRRB books.”
Treasure Von-Holland, 18, any, student and gender equality activist
Georgia State University freshman Treasure Von-Holland’s advocacy, which is focused on transgender equality, racial equity, and childhood education, is a masterclass in intersectionality. As a queer Black writer, Treasure tries their best to demystify the many identities they hold, often serving on panels to share their original art and poetry.
Most recently, in partnership with their school's Leaders for a Cause club, Treasure hosted a successful on-campus event, “World Meets Girls,” dedicated to education and dialogue on the triumphs and trials of womanhood. They are also a member of the LGBTQ Institute’s You(th) Belong cohort, in which, through monthly events for young people ages 13–25 in Metro-Atlanta, Von-Holland and her peers explore youth leadership, advocacy, and creative expression. Von Holland’s next writing project is a children's book, by which she’ll be able to reach kids and families with her rich perspective as an LGBTQ community leader.
“For me, the focus is always on those who follow, on the next generation,” Treasure tells GLAAD. They fight for “the education, confidence, joy, diversity, and freedoms” that they hope will be seen by a kid who needs to hear love and validation from the world — “a kid sort of like me not that long ago.”
Treasure’s number one icon is Josephine Baker: “She was a spy, a dancer, a comedian, and an artist.… I strive every day to live as bright, loving, and unapologetically authentic as her.”
Vidya Sinha, 18, she/they, student, anti-censorship activist and organizer
Vidya Sinha is on a mission to protect empathy, one banned book at a time. A proponent of anti-censorship, intellectual freedom, and LGBTQ media representation, Vidya uses her voice to champion stories that change lives.
Annually, schools and public libraries throughout Georgia compete in the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl, a program designed to encourage student reading, with a subsequent competition that quizzes them on award-nominated books. When eight books, including stories that celebrate queer identity, were quietly pulled from the list, Vidya refused to stay silent. With help from her friend and fellow 20 Under 20 honoree Ritvik Ranjan, they immediately launched a petition demanding transparency from the contest, amplifying their message across social media and Reddit to rally support nationwide. In less than two weeks, over 300 people signed on. Simple and effective, their collective action worked: The steering committee restored the original list.
The movement didn't end there for Vidya. She realized that defending access to LGBTQ stories is about defending empathy, representation, and freedom of thought. “What began as a protest against the removal of queer books became my personal mission to ensure that every LGBTQ kid can see themselves in literature,” she says.
Vidya is inspired by Heartstopper author Alice Oseman. Oseman’s novels, which capture the joys and challenges of young LGBTQ people, were pivotal in Vidya’s own journey to self-acceptance as a bisexual woman. She offers this advice on identity: “Labels should be empowering, not limiting. You can abandon conventional gender and sexuality labels and still be a part of the LGBTQ community.… I urge other LGBTQ youth to be confident in their queerness, regardless of how they linguistically define it; you don't owe anyone a definition of who you are.”
Zaya Wade, 18, she/her, model and activist
Zaya Wade, daughter of NBA legend Dwyane Wade, stepped into the spotlight in 2019 when she courageously shared her truth as a young trans woman. With help from her familial platform, Wade has quickly become the it girl, a gifted model and a fearless advocate for trans youth.
Wade’s decision to come out at 12 years old became a powerful lesson for her family, inspiring them to learn more about the LGBTQ community and what it truly means to be trans. Her influence is widely recognized, as she was named one of The Advocate’s “Women of the Year” and one of The Root’s “Young Futurists” in 2020. Highlighting the impact of her visibility, The Advocate notes:
“Zaya’s continued bravery in the wake of hatred perfectly exemplifies the kind of courage it takes to live your best life and be your most authentic self, especially when living under the microscope of social media. This courage makes her an inspiration and beacon for all youth who are still discovering their identities and their place in this world.” Even First Lady Michelle Obama wanted in, tapping Wade to interview her in 2021 for the release of her novel Becoming, with a publicity push targeted to young readers.
Proving her commitment to creating a better future for trans youth, Wade cofounded Translatable in 20204 with her father. This non-profit is a safe space for LGBTQ youth to express themselves and a crucial resource hub for parents, families, and support systems.
When asked about her biggest inspiration, Wade gave Mariana Marroquin, Program Manager of the Trans Wellness Center, her flowers. Marroquin's dedication to providing vital services for trans and nonbinary individuals was the catalyst that helped Wade realize the "beauty of being queer and that I deserve love and acceptance." Wade's message to queer youth is simple: never doubt the power of chosen family. “It is vital to find a community, no matter how small, of people who can uplift you so that one day you will understand the power in being queer and in being your true self.”
