Our youth ambassadors are doing big things for LGBTQ+ people in their communities.

No images? Click here [link removed]

Hi John,

An awful lot is happening in the world right now. And when the news updates feel like a wave that keeps knocking you down, sometimes it's easy to skip over the good news.

So we have some updates for you about a few of our Youth Voices alumni who are making waves of their own. Incredible waves.

First up: TWO of our Youth Voices alumni were named to GLAAD’s annual 20 Under 20 [[link removed]] list, and it’s not hard to see why.

Annabelle (she/her) has done everything from organizing her school's queer prom to launching a Girls Who Code program for elementary school students in her district to leading a workshop at SXSW, utilizing skills she honed at It Gets Better.

Mia (she/they) is being featured in Teen Vogue for the second time. She previously wrote a National Coming Out Day commentary [[link removed]] for the publication during her time with It Gets Better, spoke at SXSW EDU on disability allyship, and spoke at the US Capitol to advocate for BIPOC trans youth.

And here’s another thing that makes us incredibly proud. We’re seeing a powerful overlap where Youth Voices take what they learn, bring it home, and then come back to us as Changemakers, applying for grants to build real change in their communities.

Case in point: Amplify The Arch [[link removed]], led by Youth Voices alum Phi, is partnering with Fourth City Sisters to host a Pride conference and festival in St. Louis on February 8. This event is for LGBTQ+ youth and their supporters, by LGBTQ+ youth. Art show, info booths, workshops, performances, dance parties and more, it’s the definition of “we’re not waiting for permission to create the change we want to see.”

Want more of this? Learn more about Youth Voices [[link removed]] and It Gets Better: Changemakers [[link removed]]. Whether it’s the 35+ alum who have gone through our Youth Voices program or the thousands of grantees impacted through It Gets Better: Changemakers projects, we are directly supporting the leaders of tomorrow.

When you give to It Gets Better [[link removed]], you’re fueling youth-led work like this — leadership, storytelling, and projects that make young people’s lives better, safer, and more connected.

Raelee Sweet (they/them)

Assistant Manager of Education

It Gets Better

[[link removed]] Make Your Donation Today [[link removed]]

It Gets Better is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

If you are looking for resources or support, please visit our resource center. [[link removed]]

It Gets Better Disclosure Statement [[link removed]].

Want to update your email preferences?

Visit our Email Preferences Center [link removed] to curate which emails you receive from It Gets Better.

Preferences [link removed] | Unsubscribe [link removed]