Global citizens support equal rights, education, and gender equality — and that is exactly what these young activists hope to accomplish.
Between Trump’s tweets banning transgender soldiers and the Senate passing the Texas bathroom bill, it seems the world needs these youth activists more than ever to create positive change.
Global Citizen campaigns to achieve the global goals, including Global Goal No. 5 on gender equality. You can take take action here.
Here are five inspiring quotes from activists, some as young as 9, who are changing how the world understands gender.
Take Action: No Child Should Miss Out Because of Gender, Ethnicity or Disability
1. Jazz Jennings
“Despite the constant hatred we face as the LGBTQ+ community, we must stand united and strong in spreading our message of love," she tweeted.
The 16-year-old co-founder of TransKids Purple Rainbow Foundation was named TIME’s 25 Most Influential Teens of 2014 and 2015. Jennings stars in the TLC reality series “I am Jazz” and co-wrote a children’s book of the same name.
2. Rebekah Bruesehoff
“I want to make a difference in the world by speaking out and spreading hopeful messages. I want to send the message of ‘you are not alone and you are safe’ to other transgender kids.”
Coming out publicly at 8 years old, Bruesehoff made headlines after being photographed at a rally holding a poster that read, “I am the scary transgender person the media warned you about." She has also been featured in a Youtube series called "My Trans Life."
Read More:Trans Woman Fights 'Bathroom Bill' with Smiling Selfie With Texas Governor
3. Trinity Neal
“I want to change the world by making it much more friendly for trans people.”
At just 2 years old, Neal already knew she was a girl. At 4 years old she told her parents. Now at 12 years old, she wants to change how the world treats trans people.
4. Avery Jackson
“The best thing about being a girl is, now I don’t have to pretend to be a boy.”
In January, 9 year old Jackson was the first transgender person featured on the cover of National Geographic. When asked what she liked most about being a girl, Jackson said simply that she likes how she does not have to act like someone she is not.
Read More: Canada Just Passed a Bill to Protect Trans And Nonbinary Citizens
5. Grace Dolan-Sandrino
“Trans people are extraordinary, strong, intelligent, persistent and resilient. We have to be. And we will not stand for the picking and choosing of rights. We still have hope.” — interview with the Washington Post.
The 16-year-old began her advocacy journey after she joined HRC’s Welcoming Schools program, an organization that helps make schools inclusive for LGBTQ students. She now writes for Teen Vogue and is a member of the youth commission for the Aspen Institute.