Congratulations to our Youth Voices, Class of 2026! 

Over the past year, Ale, Andrew, Angelo, Bekah, Jay, Marshall, Nashan, and Renc have grown as leaders and formed a powerful bond as allies, colleagues, and friends. Through It Gets Better’s Youth Voices program, they have learned to turn their stories and lived experiences into action, using their voices to help create a future where their generation is happier, safer, and better understood.

The Youth Voices finished the year strong by submitting their “Culminating Projects.” These projects called on them to use the skills, experiences, connections, and resources they’ve developed over their time as Youth Voices to plan and execute a project that exemplifies their story, work, and passions. 

Jay wanted to learn how educational institutions, teachers, and school leaders can meaningfully support LGBTQ+ youth – so he gathered some folks from those spaces for an interview.

Nashan is on a mission to help stop bullying of LGBTQ+ youth at school! She curated an anti-bullying discussion panel with fellow Youth Voices ambassador Angelo and Youth Voices alumnus Elliot about their experiences with bullying in school and online, as well as how adults supported or failed them. Nashan also drafted a petition for students and community members to present to their schools to protect LGBTQ+ students.

Marshall finds heartfelt and meaningful stories in everyday objects. He collected pictures of prized possessions from LGBTQ+ youth and shared the stories that come with them. Check out Mementos That Matter: An Archive of Trans-Affirming Objects.

 

Andrew combined his love for art and mental health, coordinating an archive of LGBTQ+ art that highlights stress and struggle, self care, therapy, and more. Check out the archive COMING SOON. 

Angelo has a knack for education, and set out to create a lesson plan focusing on LGBTQ+ history. Check out the EduGuide, COMING SOON.

Ale’s outgoing and inquisitive nature made them the perfect fit to tour Antioch College, as we highlighted 10 of the most queer-friendly schools in rural communities.

Bekah is passionate about highlighting LGBTQ+ joy. He helped draft the prompt for the next Youth Voice’s cohort’s application, focusing on Queer Joy, and even helped review applications.

Check out the rest of the activities our Youth Voices were up to this year below.

Videos

• Nashan’s video for our #Mis15 Campaign, and her message for LGBTQ+ Latine youth.
• Ale’s video for our #Mis15 Campaign, a song about Chavela Vargas.
• Angelo and Jay’s video about “The Gay Rumor”
• Youth Voice’s video about positive news from 2025.
• A reading of the children’s book Guinneapigs Don’t Wear Pants featuring some of our Youth Voices

Panel Discussions

• Heightened Scrutiny Film Screening + Q&A with Jay, Marshall, and Bekah
• Second Nature Film Screening + Q&A, with Ale
• LGBTQ+ Youth Q&A – Queerathon, with Angelo, Andrew, and Jay
• Valentines Day Ace Twitch Stream, with Ale and Bekah
• Daily Beans Podcast, with Jay

Back to School Campaign

• Angelo’s back-to-school advice for LGBTQ+ youth
• Renc’s video, with a message from Blåhaj
• Nashan’s video, about being an LGBTQ+ and Hispanic/Latine student
• Marshall’s message to teachers
• Ale’s song about being queer in a religious school
• A list of advice from Bekag and Nashan

Blogs

• When I Finally Breathe by Nashan
• Just Another Runner on the Team by Jay
• Joy Rebel Op-Ed by Bekah and Jay
• Transgender Awareness Week with Angelo
• See a difference in your mental health in just 10 minutes! with Angelo
• Valentines Day – Allyship is Love by Marshall
• The “Them” in the Middle by Bekah

In-Person

Our Youth Voice, Andrew, was able to participate in several in-person activations local to Los Angeles, CA, including Camp Flognaw’s Community Day, the Grand Opening of Shai Converse Brand Space, our Community Canvas Project, as well as presenting for National Coming Out Day to his school

Behind the Scenes

Our Youth Voices were also hard at work behind the scenes providing feedback to our organization, reviewing our materials, and participating in focus-groups. Jay and Bekah also had the unique opportunity to present to our Board of Directors and sit-in on an all staff meeting to gain firsthand experience on what it is like to work in a nonprofit.