GLAAD 20 Under 20 2023: Meet the LGBTQ Youth Shaping a More Inclusive World
Picture this: The year is 2040. Transgender youth have unrestricted access to the life-affirming healthcare they need. Fossil fuel companies and legislators take the dangers of climate change seriously. LGBTQ youth continue to shine on stage and screen, telling stories by and for their community.
If those on GLAAD’s 4th Annual 20 Under 20 list — an impressive roundup of activists, entertainers, writers, researchers, and beyond — could have it their way, that’s what the world would look like. The good news is, given their tenacity and expertise, we can count on a brighter future ahead.
But, we are not in that imaginary 2040, and the reality is more grim. LGBTQ people, especially youth, are under attack. States are keeping transgender youth from participating in sports; books that champion queer voices and issues are being banned; and violence against the LGBTQ community is being perpetuated at staggering rates.
In the current state of hate against LGBTQ people, this year’s 20 Under 20 honorees model how we carry on. The work of this year’s class and their outstanding advocacy provide a blueprint and rulebook for moving forward. Queer youth — members of the gayest generation to date — are no strangers to organizing against oppression, and it’s their time to shine.
Join us as we spotlight their daring music, their powerful testimonies against state legislators, their killer drag personas, and their outstanding careers in film and television. Their work is hard, necessary, and most importantly, deserving of recognition.
Meet GLAAD’s 2023 Class of 20 Under 20, with custom illustrations from Black queer artist @blackpowerbarbie:
1/20Brooklynne Webb
19, she/her, content creator and singer
Energetic influencer Brooklynne Webb cannot be held back. A body positivity advocate whose work has attracted the collaboration of Bebe Rexha, brands Steve Madden and L'Oréal, and an impressive 10M followers on TikTok, Webb’s commitment to being unapologetically herself is unwavering and inspiring.
Two years ago, Webb made waves with the release of her debut single, “My Crown,” an unserious, over-autotuned parody song. Webb used the track — which has been streamed more than 5 million times — to turn hate on its head. Well-versed in the art of audience reaction, Webb masterfully predicted the vitriol she’d receive for the song, ultimately revealing that her pivot to music was satire all along. Her hope for this ruse (aside from checkmating haters by being one step ahead) was that, instead of bashing on influencers-turned-musicians, audiences would take a second before reacting and choose to uplift the artists they love.
With that stunt complete, Webb is going back to what she does best: spreading joy, advocating for LGBTQ people, and cutting her own hair. “There is such a pressure to label your identity, but the beauty of life is that it’s forever changing. The most important thing is to live authentically,” Webb tells GLAAD. See Webb’s profile on TikTok at @xoBrooklynne.
2/20CJ King
19, he/him, model and designer
For model and fashion designer CJ King, sharing his talent and bold style is non-negotiable.“I treat every street like it’s my runway,” King says. “Every time you leave the house is an opportunity to look your best.”
Earlier this year, King secured the opportunity of a lifetime when he and his classmate Jazzlynn Vargas traveled to Abu Dhabi to participate as finalists at the Junk Kouture World Final, the world’s largest sustainable fashion competition for youth. King and Vargas, under the leadership of two teachers from their high school, hand-constructed a stunning blue and white gown made almost entirely from blue wrap, a medical waste material. All entries to Junk Kouture need to be made from recycled materials, so their “fabric” of choice checked that box and served as a love letter to healthcare professionals. Beyond his part in designing it, King was also set to model the gown on the Junk Kouture runway for thousands, boldly challenging gender norms on an international stage.
Unfortunately, the world was not ready for King’s fearlessness. Moments before going onstage, King was notified that United Arab Emirates law prohibits men from wearing women’s clothing — people who do so could be imprisoned. King and his team were forced to withdraw.
Still, King feels this opportunity “showcased my innovative vision and commitment to sustainable fashion.” Months later, he is still making moves and dreaming big. With experience running his high school’s fashion show, a top placement in an international fashion competition, and endorsements from legendary designers like Marco Marco and Todd Oldham, it’s clear King is just getting started, “encouraging everyone to embrace their uniqueness and wear whatever they want, anytime, anywhere.”
3/20Dylan Brandt
17, he/him, trans rights activist
Since its introduction in 2021, Arkansas’ so-called “SAFE Act” has loomed over the wellbeing and safety of transgender teenager Dylan Brandt and his family. The piece of legislation bans life-saving, best practice healthcare for transgender people under the age of 18, despite the wishes of parents and families, and recommendations from their trusted health providers. The bill quickly moved through the Arkansas legislature, sending a dangerous message to LGBTQ people in Arkansas and across the country: they are not welcome to be who they are.
With support from the ACLU of Arkansas, Brandt did what no teenager should have to: He began a long, tedious, heart-wrenching fight for his right to live in his home state happily and healthily. Via a lawsuit against the state of Arkansas, Brandt joined two other families and two doctors to challenge the discriminatory law.
As a result of this fight, the Arkansas law has been blocked by a federal judge, who ruled that the bill violates the constitutional rights of the youth affected. The Arkansas Attorney General is appealing the ruling.
Part of Brandt’s advocacy includes sharing the joy of having access to testosterone as part of his gender affirming treatment. In a conversation with ACLU-Arkansas, Brandt shares that his healthcare has made him “the happiest person I think I’ve ever been. I’ve seen so many changes with myself …not only physical, but, like, mentally and emotionally.” Which makes sense, considering every major medical association unequivocally supports health care for transgender people for its evidence-based benefits and positive outcomes.
“It is important to me to be a visible advocate because I am able to share my story and speak up,” Brandt tells GLAAD. “I want everyone to feel like they have someone they can count on that will not give up on them and this fight.”
4/20Evann McIntosh
19, they/them, pop singer and songwriter
Even if you haven’t heard Evann McIntosh’s name, you’ve likely heard their music on TikTok. The lead single from McIntosh’s acclaimed EP MOJO, the viral success of “What Dreams Are Made Of?” can only be credited to its smooth, soulful sound and dreamy lyrics. A king, queen, and everything in between of alt-pop and R&B, McIntosh came onto the scene less than five years ago, rising quickly since.
Hailing from Kansas, McIntosh’s music explores gender identity, romance, and freedom of expression – with tracks all masterfully recorded in their bedroom studio.
With an album drop on the horizon, fans and new listeners alike can expect what McIntosh is known for: pop music with perspective. Be sure to keep an eye and ear out for their next project – singles will begin rolling out this fall. You’ll be glad you did.
5/20Harleigh Walker
16, she/her, trans rights activist
Not everyone can say they’ve testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee to fight for LGBTQ rights before they were even 18, but not everyone is Harleigh Walker.
A trans teen from Alabama, there’s a lot Walker owes her reserve and courage to, from her outstanding, supportive parents Jeff and Lisa; to organizations like PFLAG, which provided Walker with resources to navigate and embrace her authentic self amid senseless bullying; and her wider community – friends, allies, and LGBTQ youth she meets through her advocacy, youth she credits as her biggest inspiration.
“Hearing their stories, seeing them be incredibly brave in sharing their stories across the world has been so inspiring. To have the comfort of meeting real people that have been through the same experiences you had, and to have that sense of community inspires what I do,” Walker tells GLAAD.
Walker gained international attention when she appeared on BBC News, her first-ever on-camera interview, to fight back against the introduction of a discriminatory trans healthcare bill in her home state. She met with Alabama’s health secretary to educate him on transgender healthcare, and even made it all the way to the White House, where she spoke with Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff on how the federal government can help protect trans kids.
Walker has since returned to D.C. where she bravely told the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee just how misinformed the attacks on trans healthcare are. In June of 2023, she called on the nation’s lawmakers to step up: “I am asking for you to help us stop certain people from using the transgender community as a political pawn. Please stop attacking our lives for votes or money. These are human rights hanging in the balance.”
Currently, Alabama’s transgender healthcare ban is still in effect – but if Walker has proven anything, it’s that the fight is far from over. And for LGBTQ youth who are struggling in today’s political climate, Walker assures them: “You are not alone. You are valid. You are loved.”
6/20Isaac Dunbar
20, he/him, singer and songwriter
It’s Isaac Dunbar’s world, and we’re just living in it. Just ask TIME, Billboard, Nylon, or any of the other publications that have spotlighted Dunbar’s prolific music career.
A singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer who signed with RCA, one of the world’s biggest record labels, at just 16, Dunbar’s repertoire spans four EPs and tens of millions Spotify streams. Dunbar has opened for queer femme fav girl in red, he’s been nominated for a GLAAD Media Award under the Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist category, and his advocacy is just as outstanding as his indie-pop sound.
“I was bullied a lot growing up for being gay and I just want to show the world that everyone should be themselves,” Dunbar tells GLAAD. “The world should be a place where people listen to queer stories: listen to their music, see their vision, and support them.”
Dunbar loves RuPaul – “he is fearless” – and he credits The Sound of Music as part of the inspiration for his latest project, an 8-track EP “Banish the Banshee.” The record explores identity, insecurity, and even healing the inner child. In the EP’s eponymous track, Dunbar writes a chilling parable on the silencing and casting aside he faced as a young queer kid:
“I was a witch in a crowd of nuns / I stood out and they hated my light / They could banish the banshee to break their curse / So they banished me, banished me and I made it worse.”
7/20Isabella Fallahi
20, she/her, activist, student, abolitionist, and community organizer
Anyone looking to organize against oppression, to meaningfully explore their identity, and to develop a greater understanding of community and its many gifts need only look to Isabella Fallahi.
A 20-year-old queer Iranian and Latina activist, student, abolitionist, and community organizer, intersectionality is the name of the game for Fallahi. Whether she’s taking action against the fossil fuel industry with Polluters Out, a climate justice organization she co-founded, or organizing nationwide marches through the infamous Women’s March and March For Our Lives, Fallahi prioritizes the voices of the Black and brown LGBTQ people at the center of those movements. “That [means] ensuring … we organize, uplift, and center queer and trans people of color, who disproportionately experience discrimination and violence across issues,” says Fallahi.
Even with her outstanding resume, Fallahi’s activism goes beyond the nonprofit industrial complex. She’s no stranger to mutual aid, and she now works with Semillas Collective and Sexta Grietas del Norte to build systems rooted in autonomous community care.
So, who or what inspires such a remarkable young activist? Las Mariquitas Band, a queer and trans salsa band in New York City.
“Growing up as a young queer Latina, a daughter of immigrants, the times I felt closest to my ancestors was when my abuelita would teach me salsa. As soon as I knew how to walk I knew the rhythm of salsa.”
8/20Jaiden Blancaflor
20, he/him, LGBTQ and disability rights advocate
Jaiden Blancaflor has dedicated most of his life to making sure those who feel othered know that they belong. The inspiration behind Blancaflor’s mission is simple: “human connection.”
A disabled LGBTQ student of color, Blancaflor took to social media at age 14 to navigate his own feelings of confusion and loneliness. “Growing up, I was surrounded by LGBTQ family members, friends, and community members in an incredibly liberal state, yet I still believed that I was alone, unwanted, and unseen," he says. "There were always parts of myself that I always felt like I needed to hide.”
It was online that Blancaflor discovered his calling: Creating accurate, inclusive resources and hosting digital events for transgender people, all through his very own nonprofit, United. United ran for five years with a Discord platform and two Instagram pages, offering virtual sanctuary and pertinent knowledge for queer and trans people everywhere. Meanwhile, Blancaflor also served as a member of his high school’s Gay Straight Alliance.
Now a student at The Ohio State University, with a major in speech and hearing sciences and women's gender and sexuality studies, Blancaflor continues to serve those in his community and beyond. Most notably, Blancaflor has cozied up to GLSEN, a national LGBTQ student rights organization. There, Blancaflor served on their National Student Council and is now in his second year of their Freedom Fellowship, where he explores organizing opportunities that can make schools a safer place for LGBTQ+ students.
In a word of advice to LGBTQ youth, Blancaflor encourages rest and self preservation: “The movement cannot move if you cannot move. We live in a society where people constantly feel the need to work, to compete, and to impress…. But, being able to take a step back and rest is crucial towards liberation. We need you, so do what you need to do to survive.
9/20Jameson Johnson (Ophelia Peaches)
18, he/they, drag performer and public speaker
For Jameson Johnson, widely known as the fabulous Ophelia Peaches, discovering the joy of drag for himself wasn’t enough – he had to bring the art form to hundreds of kids nationwide.
Dragutante, co-founded by Johnson in 2017, is an annual competition for young drag performers ages 8 to 18, providing a safe space for artists to “fully realize their self expression on stage.” Dragutante was the subject of the queerly beloved, Tyra Banks produced series Generation Drag on Discovery+. Johnson starred in the series alongside four other competitors, where he warmed America’s heart with his panache and drive.
Johnson takes great pride in his work as Ophelia Peaches. “It's very important to me to make an impact by reaching as many young people as possible. I come from a background of abuse, and I felt unseen, unsupported and unheard. I never want any young person to feel like I did. I feel very strongly that there should be a dismantling of gender binary socialization, which limits youth expression.”
Learn more about Dragutante, and even apply to be a performer at the next showdown here.
10/20Lauren Scruggs
20, she/her, best women’s foil fencer at the college level in the United States
A six-time junior world champion of fencing, ranked number one in the nation and number two in the world, you don’t want to mess with Lauren Scruggs. A Harvard-educated Queens native, Scruggs’ remarkable career as a young fencer has brought her to Germany, Italy, Croatia and beyond, with the medals to prove it. And, her mission isn’t just victory against her opponents.
“I have worked to make fencing — a historically white and conservative space — a more inclusive space for both black and queer individuals,” Scruggs tells GLAAD.
Scruggs’ discipline is foil, one of three blades used in the sport, and the most common. A flexible 43 inch sword, where points are only served by making contact with the tip, Scruggs uses the blunt steel weapon to defeat her opponents and shatter stereotypes with several swift and calculated thrusts. And we mean defeat quite literally — Scruggs, who currently fences for Harvard’s varsity team, did not lose a single match this season with a stunning record of 36-0. Scruggs is also a part of USA’s National Team (you know, the one that goes to the Olympics), and hopes that by being a visible LGBTQ advocate, she can inspire other LGBTQ kids to join her in the piste.
“Growing up I wished someone was that figure for me, specifically a fencer. I hope that I can be the figure that I wanted, for young fencers today.”
11/20Lee Gordon
19, she/they, LGBTQ racial justice grassroots organizer, behavioral scientist, and abolitionist
Just like Lee Gordon pays respect to her “queer and trans Black foremothers [who] fought and died so that [she] could be free,” someday future generations of LGBTQ kids will say the same for her. A researcher, grassroots organizer, behavioral scientist, and the current head of racial justice at Queer Youth Assembly, Gordon has already forged a way forward for LGBTQ people and Black people through her advocacy.
Gordon’s legacy spans many mediums and movements, but research is her superpower. A student organizer at Harvard focused on statistics and African-American studies, Gordon established the first chapter-wide “trans+ anti-discrimination standard” for Friendship Public Charter School, a 15-campus academic body in Washington D.C. Gordon is also credited as an author in "Black Women Navigating the Doctoral Journey,” a comprehensive guide providing insight on mentorship, ways to combat the systemic racism that alienates Black women, and paths for success at a crucial early stage of their careers.
What words of advice does Gordon have for LGBTQ youth? “I believe the existence and celebration of love is the greatest form of resistance against fascist division. [LGBTQ youth] are worthy of and entitled to love in their life. And in a world saturated in violence and isolation, it is on all of us to extend and foster love in the movement.”
Gordon credits trans advocate, writer, and GLAAD friendly Raquel Wills as her inspiration (real recognizes real). “[She] was my introduction to Black feminist activism. … The joy, love, and collective wisdom that she cultivates in her work and in her communities inspired me to do the same in my own.”
12/20Lucía Umeki-Martínez
19, they/she/he, LGBTQ rights advocate, race and diversity reporter
LGBTQ people in Berkeley can rest a little easier knowing that writer and advocate Lucía Umeki-Martínez is in their corner.
The race and diversity beat reporter at the Daily Californian, the paper of record for the city, Umeki-Martínez’s career boasts multiple awards and achievements all in the name of LGBTQ equality. She’s spoken to future educators on how to support their LGBTQ students, hosted events for LGBTQ graduates, and even successfully advocated for a public high school to raise the Pride flag and establish gender-neutral bathrooms.
Thankfully, her work has not gone unrecognized. In 2022, Umeki-Martínez was awarded a Queer Youth Leadership Award for her work as a community leader in Santa Cruz County. That same year, they received an eQuality scholarship, an award for students in Northern California recognizing their achievements serving the LGBTQ community.
Lastly, and perhaps most excitingly, California Congressman Jimmy Panetta shouted out Umeki-Martínez on the nationally recognized LGBTQ anti-bullying day “Day of Silence,” lauding their work elevating and protecting queer youth. “I’m passionate about writing and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community,” Umeki-Martínez tells GLAAD. “I can use my privilege and experience to open others up to a world of love and possibility. … I have gone through a journey of self-acceptance and self-love that has translated into my writing and ensuring LGBTQ+ stories and other marginalized voices are recognized and supported.”
13/20Luke Islam
16, he/they, singer and actor
A 16-year-old actor with the voice of an angel and the resume of a budding superstar, Luke Islam came onto the scene at just 13, appearing on America’s Got Talent and delivering a chilling rendition of “She Used to be Mine” from the hit musical Waitress. Islam’s shining delivery of the song impressed judge Julianne Hough so much that she hit the golden buzzer, bringing Islam directly to the semifinals and cementing his place in the entertainment industry.
Since then, the opportunities have not stopped. Islam was invited back to AGT’s spinoff The Champions, and has gone on to star in the Disney+ series The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, the Netflix movie adaptation of the Jason Robert Brown musical 13, and most recently, alongside Ben Platt, Noah Galvin, and Molly Gordon in the hit comedy Theater Camp.
It’s especially fitting that Islam and Platt have crossed paths, considering Platt is one of his biggest inspirations. “I vividly remember when he played Radio City Music Hall in 2019. … I have never been so moved by an artist and their work like Ben in my entire life," Islam says. "The moment I will never forget is when he discussed how he came out to his parents. The way Ben described the simplicity of it all … provided me an extreme sense of comfort. I was closeted at the time and was so darn grateful for his openness … It allowed me to develop a new positive perspective of my sexuality I always knew existed deep down.”
14/20Noah Schnapp
18, he/him, actor and businessman
A performer who needs no introduction, Noah Schnapp is best known as Will Byers in the Emmy-nominated Netflix series Stranger Things. A shy, lovable, teen resident of Hawkins who can’t seem to stay out of supernatural trouble, fans were delighted to discover that the iconic character they had come to know as queer was being portrayed by a member of the LGBTQ community as well.
In 2022, Schnapp took to TikTok to come out of the closet and let us know that he’s “more similar to Will Byers than [he] thought.” A brave, simple statement shared to his over 30 million followers, Schnapp was flooded with messages of support and congratulations from fans and friends alike.
“I was crying. I was like, ‘I made it. I’m done. I don’t have to worry,” Schnapp told Variety.
As a household name, a successful businessman, and now a member of the Young Hollywood elite, Schnapp’s impact as an out, gay man cannot be understated. Whether via a cheeky TikTok or in a FaceTime call to his best friend (Stranger Things costar Millie Bobby Brown) while in a Party City, Schnapp’s bravery and honesty sends a message to all LGBTQ youth that coming out is a decision entirely yours to make.
15/20Rebekah Bruesehoff
16, she/her, trans rights activist, author, and athlete
At just 10 years old, New Jersey native Rebekah Bruesehoff let the world know exactly who she was: A transgender girl with nothing to hide, and more importantly, nothing “scary” about her. A photo of Bruesehoff at a transgender rights rally holding a sign reading “I’m the scary transgender person the media warned you about,” widely circulated the web in 2017, establishing Bruesehoff as a face in a movement she would soon dedicate her life to.
On her commitment to advocacy, Bruesehoff tells GLAAD: “I want every young transgender person to see a positive example of what’s possible. … We see people every day trying to make decisions for us and about us. But we’re here. We have voices, and they matter. It’s our lives and our future.”
And indeed Bruesehoff has set a positive example. A published author, public speaker, and recipient of the Ms. Foundation For Women’s Free to Be You and Me Award, Bruesehoff has devoted her life to dispelling the harmful myths around trans and gender nonconforming teens. She also does this with the help of The GenderCool Project, a youth-led movement bringing change to the world for transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming youth like her. It’s through GenderCool that she co-wrote A Kids Book about Being Inclusive, a how-to for kids and families alike on embracing diversity every day.
Bruesehoff has worked with The Trevor Project, Parents magazine, Human Rights Campaign and more to fight for her right to live with dignity and respect. In a piece on why trans kids should be allowed to play sports on teams that reflect who they are, Bruesehoff told Good Morning America: “Legislators are bullying kids. That's really it. When I step on that field, nothing else is happening. It's really powerful to have that time in the day to just think about a game, to have fun. I think taking that away from trans kids would be devastating."
16/20Reuben De Maid
19, he/him, makeup artist and beauty influencer
What exactly has brought the United Kingdom’s Reuben De Maid across the globe (including to America to appear on The Ellen Show) and back? Is it his glowing smile and charismatic personality? Is it his talent and eye for makeup, a skill he has been developing since childhood? Or is it his impact as a boy defying gender norms and sending a message to all to break binaries and live as their most authentic selves?
It’s probably a combination of all three and then some – and De Maid knows it. “By openly sharing my journey, I challenge stereotypes, promote understanding, and contribute to the fight for equality,” De Maid tells GLAAD. For De Maid, makeup is not a mask, in fact it’s quite the opposite. “Ultimately, I aim to inspire authenticity, unity, and a future free from prejudice.”
The star of his very own CW docuseries Being Reuben, De Maid has infiltrated the mainstream to give us all permission to be ourselves. When GLAAD asked him what advice he has for LGBTQ youth, he also chimed in on how parents should support their queer kids:
“Listen and learn about your child's journey. Unconditional love is vital. Educate yourself on LGBTQ+ matters. Be their advocate, creating a safe space. Acceptance is a powerful gift; it nurtures their confidence and wellbeing. Your support makes all the difference.”
17/20Rosie Couture
20, she/her, queer activist and political organizer
Let’s talk about the Equal Rights Amendment. Introduced in 1923, the proposed amendment to the United States Constitution seeks to grant equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex. It sounds simple enough, but the fight to ratify it has been endless. For Harvard student Rosie Couture, it’s a goal she’s built her life around.
The co-founder and Executive Director of Generation Ratify, Couture mobilizes young people across the country to fight for their constitutional sex equality. However, Couture does this with special attention to LGBTQ people:
“For too long, the movement has been perceived as a movement for straight, cis women. Political wins of the feminist movement have therefore mainly benefitted straight, cis women,” Couture tells GLAAD. “We need visible LGBTQ+ advocates to ensure we aren’t left behind.”
Now, with Generation Ratify under her wing, Couture has led the nation closer to making the ERA a reality. A constitutional amendment must be ratified by 38 states to move forward, and Couture’s organization was pivotal in making Virginia the final state to do so. Still, the fate of the amendment is in limbo.
In the meantime, Rosie is making waves on her own college campus, dismantling cultures of sexual violence and misogyny through walkouts, rallies, and more. A lifelong intersectional feminist who’s not afraid to get her hands dirty (see: being arrested for a 6-hour shutdown of D.C.’s Constitution Avenue) Couture is one to watch.
18/20Trans Youth Prom Organizers
Daniel Trujillo, 16, he/him; Hobbes Chukumba, 16, he/him; Libby Gonzales, 13, she/her; Grayson McFerrin-Hogan,12, they/them
In a momentous gesture of solidarity and protest, four kids shook the nation by organizing the prom of their dreams right in front of the U.S. Capitol.
Daniel Trujillo, Grayson McFerrin-Hogan, Hobbes Chukumba, and Libby Gonzales are not the same age, they don’t attend the same school, and they don’t even live in the same state. But they have one thing in common: They are trans.
Amid a tense political climate for youth like them, Trujillo, McFerrin-Hogan, Chukumba, and Gonzales came together in the name of trans joy and action to host the prom of their dreams, complete with a transgender flag-inspired “Tunnel of Love” entrance, over 200 trans and gender nonconforming guests, and a playlist of queer anthems and artists.
Here’s what the four trailblazers have to say now as a message to LGBTQ youth:
Trujillo: “Always know that you have community and support somewhere. Even if it’s not in your home town, your school, or your family. You belong and deserve to be happy just like your peers. Do not let these politicians use your livelihood as a political pawn.”
Grayson McFerrin-Hogan: “Stay strong no matter what happens. Fight hard and never give up.”
Hobbes Chukumba: “Remember! You are youthful. Embrace your youth whenever you can: have fun, let loose, be happy. Take time and care for yourself. Whether that may mean artistic expression, physical activity, or something as simple as napping, you deserve to be freely, happily, and youthfully you. Know that so many people are advocating with endless [fervor] to protect that.”
Libby Gonzales: “We are living in a really hard moment with so many loud and public attacks on our existence but I know we will keep pushing forward because we have each other. You are not alone and you’ll always have people on your side.”
19/20Xavier Logan
20, he/they, dancer, choreographer, model, and student
Juilliard junior Xavier Logan has the talent and tenacity to match his outstanding success as a dancer and choreographer. Logan’s legacy includes appearances on So You Think You Can Dance, Dance Moms, and The Vampire Diaries. After receiving nearly $1.5 million in college scholarships, Logan brought his gifts to one of the world’s most prestigious dance schools, where he made history as the first-ever student to bring hip hop to Juilliard’s mainstage.
With over 15,000 subscribers on YouTube, and 250,000 likes on TikTok, Logan’s reach is ever expanding, most recently having graced both Jacob’s Pillow and Nederlands Dans Theater as a dancer in their summer intensive. Logan also spent his summer choreographing alongside Victor Jackson for the the fourth annual Mobilizing Our Brother Initiative Queer Festival (MOBIFest).
Logan, an Atlanta native, credits the legendary Sean Bankhead – choreographer to stars like Lil Nas X, Cardi B, Normani, Victoria Monét and more – as his biggest inspiration. “Becoming aware of someone like himself, who’s so authentically him, unapologetic, and also happens to be from Atlanta, constantly reassures me that it is possible and to not lose myself … in the process of achieving greatness.”
20/20Zachary Willmore
20, he/him, TikTok star
It takes an exceptional kind of bravery to share an HIV diagnosis with almost 2 million people, just a week after it happens. For TikTok star Zachary Willmore, it was his way through. Sharing his story, from the emotional to the scientific, has made him an advocate to watch as he reduces stigma on a virus that Gen Z is the least knowledgeable about.
“Information is power, so I really wanted to help people understand,” Willmore told NBC.
Thankfully, people are. Hundreds of commenters on Willmore’s video diaries express their gratitude for Willmore, ranging from folks who have HIV themselves, to allies grateful to know more about the disease. “You’re genuinely saving lives by spreading awareness,” writes one commenter. “I’ve been diagnosed with HIV since 2016. Proud of you for being so open about your journey,” writes another.
As one might expect, this is not the first time Willmore has broken barriers. In 2021, Willmore made history as the first boy in Missouri to be crowned homecoming queen. This was amid the work he was doing to change his school’s dress code so that he can wear the fab, femme outfits he’s known for.
Now, Willmore is at San Diego State University, where some students even confess to him that he’s the reason they enrolled. Earlier this year, he was honored with a museum exhibit in his home state, a featured exhibit titled ‘Show Me Queens’ at the State Historical Society of Missouri Center for Missouri Studies.
“I do believe that the goal of life is to be happy, and once we start doing what makes us happy everything else follows,” Willmore tells GLAAD.
GLAAD’s 20 Under 20 list is released annually in an exclusive partnership with Teen Vogue.
