{"id":844378,"date":"2023-10-23T11:34:32","date_gmt":"2023-10-23T15:34:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/glaad.org\/?p=844378"},"modified":"2024-06-27T14:53:55","modified_gmt":"2024-06-27T18:53:55","slug":"glaad-celebrates-this-years-20-under-20-bipoc-honorees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/glaad.org\/glaad-celebrates-this-years-20-under-20-bipoc-honorees\/","title":{"rendered":"GLAAD Celebrates this Year\u2019s 20 Under 20 BIPOC Honorees"},"content":{"rendered":"

GLAAD\u2019s annual 20 Under 20 list, revealed exclusively on <\/span>Teen Vogue<\/span><\/i>, honors young queer people who are accelerating acceptance of the LGBTQ community and shaping all forms of media, including entertainment, and news. The list includes a variety of outstanding artists and activists who have inspired, motivated, and united the LGBTQ community over the years.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now that the list has been unveiled, let\u2019s take a closer look at this year\u2019s Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) honorees from this year\u2019s class.<\/span><\/p>\n

Issac Dunbar\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

20, he\/him, singer and songwriter, @issacdunbar<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"Isaac<\/p>\n

Issac Dunbar embarked on his artistic journey at the young age of nine, driven by an unwavering passion for the liberating power of music. As his commitment to his craft deepened, Dunbar’s exceptional talent eventually caught the attention of RCA, one of the largest record labels in the world, where he eventually joined their roster. Dunbar has made significant strides in\u00a0 industry, demonstrating the power of authenticity as an artist. He has released four EPs, including “Banish the Banshee,” which received a nomination for Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist at the 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dunbar’s music is all-encompassing, therapeutic, and supportive of the LGBTQ community. In his own words, “I advocate simply for equality. Ultimately, I wish to be a voice and an outlet through my music.”\u00a0 Dunbar, now 20 years old, continues to inspire through his music. His compositions emphasize the significance of self-love, expression, and freedom. In a message of support to LGBTQ people, the singer advises, “Live your life without shame.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jaiden Blancaflor<\/b><\/h3>\n

20, he\/him, LGBTQ and disability rights advocate, @ft.x.jaii<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"Jaiden<\/p>\n

As a disabled LGBTQ student of color, Jaiden Blancaflor turned to social media when he was just 14 years old to navigate his own feelings of confusion and loneliness. It was through social media that Blancaflor discovered his true calling: creating accurate and inclusive resources and hosting digital events for transgender people. He did all of this through his own nonprofit organization United. At the same time, Blancaflor was also an active member of his high school’s Gay Straight Alliance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now a student at The Ohio State University, Blancaflor continues to make a difference in his community and beyond. One of his notable achievements is his involvement with GLSEN, a national organization that fights for LGBTQ student rights. In a word of advice to LGBTQ youth, Blancaflor encourages rest and self preservation: \u201cThe 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\u2026. 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Isabella Fallahi<\/b><\/h3>\n

20, she\/her, activist, student, abolitionist, and community organizer, @isabellafallahi<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"Isabella<\/p>\n

Isabella Fallahi is a 20-year-old activist, student, abolitionist, and community organizer who is dedicated to fighting oppression, exploring identity, and promoting community understanding. Her approach to activism is grounded in intersectionality, and she prioritizes the voices of Black and brown LGBTQ people in her work. She\u2019s been featured in the Washington Post, Elle, USA Today, MSNBC, VICE, The Guardian, Teen Vogue, Vogue Australia and Forbes for her work as an activist.<\/span><\/p>\n

She actively promotes climate justice through<\/span> Polluters Out<\/span><\/a>, which she co-founded, a coalition dedicated to taking action against the fossil fuel industry. Additionally, she has successfully orchestrated nationwide marches in collaboration with the Women’s March and March For Our Lives movements.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite possessing an exceptional resume, Fallahi’s activism transcends the confines of the nonprofit industrial complex. Her involvement in mutual aid initiatives is well-established, and she currently collaborates with Semillas Collective and Sexta Grietas del Norte to establish self-governing frameworks centered around community care. Fallahi prioritizes the voices of the Black and brown LGBTQ people at the center of those movements. \u201cThat [means] ensuring \u2026 we organize, uplift, and center queer and trans people of color, who disproportionately experience discrimination and violence across issues,\u201d says Fallahi.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fallahi draws inspiration and joy from Las Mariquitas Band, a queer and trans salsa band in New York City, which reminds her of her cultural heritage as a young queer Latina and daughter of immigrants. Fallah is a first-generation American in her Colombian-Iranian family, whose unapologetic nature propels her to new heights. Her fervent activism underscores the significance of embracing one’s cultural heritage, and she takes great pride in her identity. \u201cGrowing 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lee Gordon\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

19, she\/they, LGBTQ racial justice grassroots organizer, behavioral scientist, and abolitionist<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"Lee<\/p>\n

As a researcher, grassroots organizer, behavioral scientist, and the current Head of Racial Justice at Queer Youth Assembly, Lee Gordon has already made significant strides in advancing the rights and well-being of LGBTQ and Black individuals through her advocacy.<\/span><\/p>\n

She took on the role of student organizer at Friendship Public Charter School and successfully implemented the first chapter-wide “trans+ anti-discrimination standard” at Friendship Public Charter School, a prominent academic institution comprising 15 campuses in Washington D.C. Gordon is an evidently resolute and highly motivated individual who consistently fights to surpass obstacles. Moreover, her academic pursuits at Harvard University include Statistics and African-American Studies, which further exemplify her impressive accomplishments.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Gordon’s impact extends across various platforms and ideologies, with her research skills serving as her greatest asset. During her time as a student organizer at Harvard, she dedicated herself to the fields of statistics and African-American studies. Notably, Gordon successfully implemented the inaugural “trans+ anti-discrimination standard” for Friendship Public Charter School, an esteemed academic institution comprising 15 campuses in Washington D.C.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0When asked about advice for LGBTQ youth, Gordon shared \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lauren Scruggs\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

20, she\/her, best women\u2019s foil fencer at the college level in the United States<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"Lauren<\/p>\n

Queens Native Lauren Scruggs, a highly accomplished fencer who has been crowned the junior world champion six times, is currently ranked number one in the nation and number two in the world (<\/span>USAfencing.org<\/span><\/a>). A student at Harvard University, Scruggs’ exceptional career in fencing has taken her to various countries, where she has consistently proven her skill and earned numerous medals. It’s worth noting that Scruggs has an impressive record of 36 wins and 0 losses this season while representing Harvard’s varsity team. She is also a member of USA’s National Team.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scruggs is a skilled fencer who specializes in using a foil, which is one of the three types of swords used in the sport. With her precise and quick thrusts, she defeats her opponents and breaks stereotypes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Experience the moment when Lauren Scruggs was crowned your 2023 NCAA Women’s Foil Champion!!! \ud83e\udec5\ud83c\udfc6\ud83e\udd47#GOCrimson<\/a> #OneCrimson<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/UoS6mqihZa<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Harvard Fencing (@HarvardFencing) March 26, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n