Marshall’s powerful archive is one of eight youth-led projects you'll want to explore.

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How's your week going John,

This is one of those emails I am bursting with Pride to share.

Over the past year, Ale, Andrew, Angelo, Bekah, Jay, Marshall, Nashan, and Renc have grown as leaders, colleagues, and friends. As our Youth Voices Class of 2026, they led conversations about bullying and school safety, created videos and resources, wrote blogs, drafted a petition protecting LGBTQ+ students, participated in community events, and advised our staff and board.

Each also created a culminating project rooted in their story and passions. Together, those projects show what being youth-informed means at It Gets Better: queer youth aren’t simply featured in our work. They help decide which stories we tell, resources we create, and content we share. Their work helps shape ours. You can check all of the projects out here [[link removed]].

Marshall’s culminating project is a powerful example of that. For Mementos That Matter: An Archive of Trans-Affirming Objects [[link removed]], he invited trans and nonbinary people to share objects that hold meaning in their gender journeys. A Post-it note bearing a chosen name. A concert program. A stuffed animal. Everyday objects hold deeply personal stories about identity, affirmation, and being seen. Trust me: if you want to smile—and maybe have a good cry— you’ll want to explore this archive. [[link removed]]

And the impact of Youth Voices doesn’t end when a cohort graduates. Kiki joined the program at just 13 years old. Back then, she said, “in five years I see myself getting into a good college after having made an impact at my high school.”

Ever the overachiever, Kiki did just that and is now heading to Harvard. Her journey shows what can happen when we invest in LGBTQ+ young people early, giving them the skills, community, and platform to become the leaders they already have the potential to be.

“I genuinely believe that It Gets Better is the reason I am where I am today.”

When you support It Gets Better, you’re helping queer youth speak, create, lead, and shape what comes next. Invest in the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders. [[link removed]]

Join me in celebrating the latest class of graduates and all of our Youth Voices alumni.

Raelee Sweet (they/them)

Manager of Education

It Gets Better

Yes, I'll support LGBTQ+ youth → [[link removed]] [[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.

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