Youth Voices – Class of 2024

The It Gets Better Project, through It Gets Better EDU, is proud to present Youth Voices – Class of 2024. These exceptional young people have partnered with our organization to offer their unique stories and words of advice to other LGBTQ+ youth around the globe. They are students, artists, and activists who are working to change their communities for the better and who have empowering insights to lend to their LGBTQ+ peers.

Aaron D.

Age: 16
Pronouns: He/They
Location: California

Aaron is an activist, grassroots organizer, and mental health advocate. As a queer Mexican American descended from the Tlahuica and Cora people from Mexico, their cultural background taught them the importance of having, creating, and fighting for community. This idea has fueled their activism and pursuit of helping and advocating for their school and home space. For instance, he is the current president of the S.A.G.E. (Sexuality and Gender Equality) club at his high school and the secretary of his block club in Compton, where they educate their block on political information regarding the neighborhood. They’re also a LA2050 Youth Ambassador representing Compton. They engaged 610 Angelenos, from community events to protests like the Drag and May Day March, to vote in the 2023 Grants Challenge and make their voices heard regarding important funding issues all Angelenos deem essential.

Beyond his activism, he joined the Youth Voices to represent and share a different story of the queer perspective. Queer stories from disadvantaged communities often are absent in conversations and spaces that foster empowerment. In the near future, they plan on studying psychology to become a Human Resource Manager in promoting safe and inclusive work environments specifically for LGBTQIA+ employees.

Aidan L.

Age: 17
Pronouns: He/Him
Location: Pennsylvania

Aidan is a fervent human rights advocate with an unwavering loyalty to reform the systems that perpetuate inequality and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. Committed to accessibility of information and education, Aidan is a member of the Teen Health Lab Youth Advisory Council at Northwestern University to promote queer sexual health education. He also continues his advocacy work as a social justice writer, as well as pursuing his own research in queer studies. At the It Gets Better Project, he uses his voice and passions to share his story of mental health and understanding intersectionality to uplift, empower, and connect queer youth all around the world.

In his free time, Aidan enjoys pursuing his other passions in various areas. Since he was 6 years old, he has been classically trained in the piano, and also plays other instruments for fun, like the violin and the guitar. He has been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City 4 times, and has also performed at places like the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. He has participated in Summer Intensive programs at the Eastman School of Music, and serves as the first chair violinist and principal pianist in both his school and regional orchestras. In addition, he has also performed with the Northern Tier Symphony as well as the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic. When he’s not playing music, he’s with his mock trial team. After winning the Pennsylvania State Championship two years in a row, he developed an interest in law. Using his interests in both law and activism, he hopes to pursue higher education and become a human rights lawyer.

Akiko K.

Age: 17
Pronouns: They/She/He
Location: Iowa

Akiko is a Los Angeleno-turned-Iowan passionate about connecting with diverse communities to develop resilient solutions for the future. After being inspired by Brave Trails—an LGBTQ leadership summer camp that taught them crafts, drag, and how to love being queer—Akiko’s goal is to share the joy they experienced at camp with peers out in the world. They went on to become a Youth Special Media Specialist for Q Chat Space and a ’23 Civics Innovation International Fellow with a case brief on the influence of LGBTQ representation in professional spaces on youth mental health. Akiko is also the founder of Society Educating Equity and Diversity—a club dedicated to connecting students to community leaders through zoom to discuss the impact of diverse books.

Aside from advocacy, Akiko loves learning about international relations and East Asian culture. In 2022, they were a National Security Language Initiative for Youth Mandarin Scholar with the US Department of State where they had the opportunity to bond with their peers in China over Modern Family — which also happens to be Akiko’s favorite TV show — and conduct interviews with final presentations that studied the multi-generational intersection of American and traditional/popular Chinese music. Akiko’s so excited to be included in this year’s Youth Voices!

Eli P.

Age: 17
Pronouns: He/Him
Location: California

Eli is a transgender, artist and activist from the Los Angeles area. In his free time he enjoys rock climbing, camping, and other time spent outdoors.

He remembers being a kid and not being able to find anyone on the screen that shared his experiences, so he is trying to create that media. His short films have been shown in festivals all across the country and won various awards. He also works on his school newspaper and is helping to start a TV show for his department. He hopes that through his films and activism he can help kids feel seen and give them someone they can relate to on screen.

Ellie Z.

Age: 16
Pronouns: She/Her
Location: New Jersey

Ellie is passionate about policy and advocacy. She is a senior from Central New Jersey who is always looking for opportunities to help others. As a Jewish Queer youth, she believes that defending the rights of all is crucial to driving change.

Ellie is also very involved in school activities. She enjoys spending time preparing for her school’s Mock Trial team and debates through Junior State of America (JSA). She’s an avid athlete who loves playing soccer and lacrosse. Outside of school, she has interned for three campaigns in an effort to elect those who align with her values, particularly promoting equality. In her community, Ellie volunteers weekly with children with disabilities and is on the leadership board for Friendship Circle. In her free time, Ellie enjoys working out at the gym, reading a good book, relaxing at the beach, and spending time with friends and family. She is looking forward to her first year as a Youth Voice!

Eris R.

Age: 18
Pronouns: They/Them
Location: Alabama

Eris is a Black, nonbinary, neurodivergent, and queer activist. Their biggest passion is fighting for liberation and accessibility in all areas. This led them to be president of their high school Gender-Sexuality Alliance and heavily involve themselves in other local and national organizations. Most of their advocacy surrounds BIPOC liberation, LGBTQ+ rights, Reproductive/Sexual Health, and the intersectionality of all three.

In their first year at It Gets Better, they made Tiktoks for election season, spoke on the #WokeAF podcast, and had an editorial of them featured in multiple news stories across the country. She hopes to spread her unique voice as a queer Christian advocate and empower young activists to initiate change in their communities. Eris will be studying sociology at Wayne State University in the fall to create their own nonprofit in the near future.

Fabi R.

Age: 18
Pronouns: She/Her
Location: Florida

Fabi is a Venezuelan immigrant devoted to mental health and LGBTQ+ education within minority groups in her county. Due to constant discrimination experienced by her communities, Fabi created a platform dedicated to offer proper mental health education in her school, targeted specifically to marginalized groups.

Ignited by Hearts On Venezuela, she strives to provide different perspectives on mental health and LGBTQ+ rights through a multiculturalist and artistic approach.

Fabi is currently majoring in psychology in hopes to provide therapy and conduct research on neurodivergence in the future!

Jeremy T.

Age: 18
Pronouns: Any
Location: Texas

Jeremy is a passionate advocate and leader who dedicates their time to effecting positive change. They are extensively involved in Tony’s Place, a drop-in center for unhoused LGBTQ+ youth, and are committed to supporting and engaging with the center’s members. Through Youth Voices, Jeremy seeks to amplify their impact, transcending the local level to foster change on a national scale.

Jeremy’s passion also lies in promoting civic engagement among Gen Zers. Their personal experience as an immigrant has instilled in them a profound understanding of the importance of political advocacy and voter registration, especially within their own generation. Jeremy’s role as the representative for their district in the city’s mayor’s youth council exemplifies their dedication to spearheading targeted initiatives that benefit the local community. With a devotion towards storytelling, Jeremy aspires to utilize their voice as a platform to amplify the voices of underserved and underrepresented communities, aiming to raise awareness of the challenges they face.

Mia M.

Age: 17
Pronouns: They/Them
Location: Texas

As an avid disability rights advocate, intersectional feminist, and transgender healthcare supporter, Mia is fervent about the rights and equity of others. Growing up in Texas as Muslim & Black, Mia often faced harmful discrimination for their sexuality, religious identity, and Blackness, urging them to follow in their ancestors’ footsteps rooted in activism, social justice, deep faith, and service to others. Thus, Mia began their activist journey, uplifting and encouraging others to join the good fight. As one of the founding members of Troop 363, the first all-female Boy Scouts of America (BSA) troop in New Braunfels, TX, Mia faced gender discrimination head-on and in 2023, they became first African-American in their troop to earn the rank of Life Scout, the second-highest rank awarded to scouts. In addition to scouting, Mia furthered their education in maternal health, feminism, and reproductive justice by attending a Spelman Early College biology program in the summer of 2023 where they learned about the anatomy of the reproductive system and how to advocate for Black women in healthcare. As they prepare for their new chapter in upper education, Mia plans to pursue a BA in both exercise science and psychology with a minor in women & gender studies.

When not signing petitions or crafting zines, Mia can be found volunteering as a dance instructor with Kinetic Kids, an organization that allows people of all abilities to participate in adaptive sports, performing on the Lyra, dancing in the rain, or curled up at their favorite indie bookstore with an iced chai latte. Mia is honored to have the opportunity to share their experience and story with Youth Voices, especially as a non-binary Black Muslim. With Youth Voices, they hope to be a role model and encouraging voice for other BIPOC Muslims who identify with the LGBTQ+ community so that they may feel heard, loved, and accepted for who they are, without the pressure to conform to someone they are not. Mia is a firm believer that BIPOC individuals are essential in the LGBTQ+ community and deserve a place without question in the LGBTQ+ community as their white peers, regardless of their spiritual identity or how they choose to present themselves.

Phi C.

Age: 17
Pronouns: They/Them
Location: California

Phi is an Asian American, autistic, and queer student activist, artist, and organizer from the California Bay Area. Coming from Vietnamese and Indian roots, they have explored the struggles, experiences, and diverse cultural backgrounds of both communities. Through over a decade of undiagnosed autism, Phi has faced both the undeniable effects of masking and a cultural stigma against disabilities. Through self-advocacy and oratory, Phi is now an outspoken member of their community.

Speech and debate were the catalysts for Phi’s self advocacy. They step onto state and national stages, sharing stories, experiences, and rhetoric about their identity–a passion that won them a national championship. Beyond competition, they bridge the gap between generations, reminding people of influence of the power our generation holds. Phi’s speaking and advocacy has been acknowledged by the city council, local politicians, Tri-city leaders, and even the Mayor. Working with LGBTQ+ groups like It Gets Better, they tell stories through art, workshops, and even Twitch streams. Phi’s own nonprofit, Redefine Z, has rallied over 300 youth activists across 4 countries to spearhead rallies, storytelling galleries, donation drives, and even the largest mural on their school campus. Phi’s greatest joy is knowing that their story means something.