There was once a time that living in the spotlight meant keeping some things to yourself. Today's generation is taking a different approach and living out loud, no matter who feels what way about it.
It's beautiful to see how pride has seeped into all the different areas of life, entertainment included. Today, entertainers of all kinds can celebrate who they are and what they love. In doing so, they're letting other kids who are scared to live their authentic lives know that there can be beautiful days ahead.
These influencers are happy to celebrate all the facets of their identities.
JoJo Siwa
JoJo Siwa has committed to living her best and most authentic life out loud, which once wouldn't have been possible for the star of a children's empire. JoJo has worked hard to spread messages of acceptance, and she tries to use her platform to increase understanding of the community and the issues they face.
Conrad Rocha
TikToker Conrad Rocha has gained a loyal following through his love of dance, fashion, and other trends on the platform. Conrad is gay and shares his experiences growing up gay and being an adult who is out and proud.
mxmtoon (Maia)
The bisexual pop artist known as mxmtoon makes beautifully melodic and strikingly personal songs that really resonate with listeners. She hopes that by living openly as a bisexual person, she's lessening erasure and offering real perspective to a group that's often fetishized or ignored.
EwOk (Soleil Wheeler)
EwOk, whose name is Soleil Wheeler, has made part of his mission representing his many identities. He holds a unique space as a deaf transgender bisexual professional gamer. At 15, he is the first transgender guy in T1, an esports organization that originated in South Korea.
Jayde McFarlane
Jayde McFarlane has gained fame from sharing her life and experiences as a transgender woman of color, including publicly dealing with someone who threatened to out her as transgender to her partner (who already knew). The hate she's faced and the grateful way she's handled it are as engaging as her comedic skits and relationship talk.
Andrea Alejandra Gonzales
Andrea Alejandra Gonzales is a mestiza queer advocate who uses her platform to educate and empower the LGBTQIA community, especially against oppressive systems. She's done incredible community organization work at just 20 years old and shows folks just what's possible when we take action.
Ashton Mota
Ashton Mota began publicly living as transgender when he was 12. In the nearly six years since, he has used his voice and his story to be a force for trans youth, BIPOC youth, and more. He has served as a youth ambassador for the Human Rights Campaign and partners with a number of organizations to elevate equality and visibility.
Kaylyn Suji Ahn
Kaylyn Suji Ahn is a queer social justice and community activist. Kaylyn believes activism and action are the ways forward, and she devotes a lot of time to the causes she cares about. She heads the March for Our Lives Des Plaines chapter, acts as creative director for the Illinois Youth Climate Movement, and works with organizations including Pride in Running, Earth Uprising, District 214 for Justice, and Stop Asian Hate Chi, all while doing organizing of her own.
Max Prestigiacomo
Max Prestigiacomo put his energies toward public service. The University of Wisconsin-Madison student served one year as the alder on the City of Madison Common Council, making him one of the first LGBTQ candidates ever elected in the city and the youngest elected official in the state.
Yasmin Finney
Yasmin Finney is a promising trans actress with a bright future ahead of her. She was one of the stars of Heartstopper and will appear in Doctor Who in 2023. Yasmin uses her platform to celebrate Black trans excellence and show what a joyful life can be, all while raising awareness and encouraging activism.
