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Blog Post

From shaping platforms to civic engagement, queer youth can do anything!

Oct 22, 2026

By Bekah, Youth Voices Alumni

As the midterm elections approach, LGBTQ+ rights are once again being put in the spotlight. Elections mean everything from researching which candidates support gender affirming care to explaining to your family why they shouldn’t support anti-LGBTQ+ propositions. Navigating the ballot can be overwhelming and exhausting for anyone.

Now, imagine dealing with all of that as a young, first time voter. According to Tufts Circle, one in three youth who didn’t cast a ballot felt they lacked the time and information to vote. I get it. Voting consciously is quite the process. But, our voices still matter.

Most people accept the struggles of young voters as a part of the system and continue on with their lives. I couldn’t do that. 

Throughout my time in It Gets Better’s youth ambassador program, I was told my perspective mattered and that I had the power to make real change. When It Gets Better began discussions surrounding AI usage within the organization, they came to our youth cohort and asked for our opinions. Since then, I have presented the topic to the Board of Directors, tested and gave feedback on the prototype, and helped add a new human touch to imi.

It Gets Better made me realize that I had the ability to make real change.So, alongside one of my fellow Youth Voice alum, Jay, and two members of the current cohort, Sophia and Christopher, we began working on Queer The Ballot.

Together we are authoring a civic engagement toolkit designed for young, queer voters to help them navigate elections and get more involved within their communities. Alongside our toolkit we are hosting workshops online and in person at libraries, GSA’s, and recreational centers across the country. 

We want you to join us. We have two online workshops open to the public on October 24th at 4:00pm PST and November 1st at 3:00pm PST. Sign up HERE for more details. 

Workshop attendees get first access to our toolkit and can become reviewers, helping us improve our work. Whether you are a queer student preparing to cast a ballot or an adult who wants to support the youth around you, you are welcome to join us. 

It isn’t enough to know that my voice matters. I want everyone around me to realize they bring a unique perspective and have the power to make change. 

Check out Dear Queer Youth, the organization putting together Queer the Ballot!

Learn more about Queer the Ballot in these articles: