“It’s not bad for kids to see there are different people out in the world."

An image spreading across platforms purports to show an LGBTQ pride event participant wearing a T-shirt that says "trans kids are sexy." But the photo has been digitally altered; the original shows the person in plain white at a November 2021 parade in the US state of California, and the supposed T-shirt about transgender children is a fake that exploits a child's image.

Florida and Texas remain two of the most populous states in the nation. Many trans people and trans kids live there. They should not have their rights stripped away from them. These proposals restrict LGBTQ+ people from learning how to be themselves. As a gender fluid person and a member of the trans community, I am a very happy person because I was able to learn to be myself.

In years past, school bullies carried out their hazing on the playground. As many other activities have modernized and made their way online, bullies have increasingly begun utilizing the Internet to torment their victims. Social media and cyberbullying are now taking their toll on tweens and teens nationwide. Cutter Law can help parents, educators, and social media users understand the impact of cyberbullying and the legal recourse available to victims.

"Born This Way" is more than just a song by Lady Gaga. It's a foundation she created with her mother to support youth mental health and encourage kindness toward all communities.

Last month, foundation announced a new group of advisory board members who will help shape its work.

After sorting through more than 360 applications, 31 extraordinary individuals were chosen. They are between the ages of 15 and 24 years old and come from 10 different countries.

Livia Caligor and Desmond Napoles, who both live in New York City, joined us to discuss the foundation, their new roles and what they want to work on.

Two New Yorkers have been chosen to help Lady Gaga with her mission to make kindness cool and eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health.

Livia Caligor and Desmond Napoles are among a group of 31 people from all over the world chosen to be advisory board members on the singer's nonprofit, the Born this Way Foundation.

These board members are young people who are making a difference in their community. They will help advise the foundation on the challenges facing young people, and serve as ambassadors for the foundation.

Caligor and Napoles joined Rocco Vertuccio and Shannan Ferry Sunday morning on NY1 to discuss the foundation.

I'm excited to announce that I am joining the Born This Way Foundation as an Advisory Board class member! Learn more about me, our Advisory Board, and how we hope to build a kinder, braver world.​​

As a Born This Way Foundation Advisory Board member, I serve as an organization ambassador and advise on their mission of supporting youth mental health and building a kinder and braver world.

New guest blog on It Gets Better Project: teen activist Desmond Napoles has some thoughts about the recent proposed bans on drag shows - and shares 10 tips for fellow youth who are considering getting into drag, like:

1. Start slow: Drag can be a big commitment, so take it easy and work your way up. Experiment with makeup and clothes before investing in a full drag ensemble.

2. Build your confidence: If you’re new to drag, it’s important to start small and hone your skills and confidence over time. Try experimenting with makeup and costumes at home before taking the stage.

Read the rest of them using the link below.

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So proud to announce that I am a 2023 awardee for the Monette Horwitz Trust. I am really grateful for receiving this recognition.

For more than 20 years, The Monette Horwitz Trust has recognized & honored individuals & organizations worldwide for their work fighting homophobia.

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Prices are surging all over the world, which means you’re not the only struggling to afford new clothes. So what’s a femme to do when clothing is essential to your identity?

The trick is to purchase a few items that you can wear over and over in different ways – and not get sick of.

Whether you're looking to express your free spirit or embrace 90's grunge, you can look great while sporting a few classic pieces. Some trends never go out of style, and in this article, we'll go over seven timeless looks for you to get inspired by in the new year. Read on to discover your style and the timeless fashion statements that reflect it. ​​

Desmond Napoles is a guest on the Refuse Fascism podcast this week discussing Drag vs. Fascism.

Sam Goldman talks to Gwen Frisbie-Fulton, organizer and writer, about the recent attack on power stations in Moore County, North Carolina, and how the attacks on drag story hours are being used by the larger fascist movement.

Then, we talk to drag performers about the joys and benefits of drag story hours, not just for the LGBTQ community but for everyone who wants to bring a little more empathy, creativity and fun into the world.​

Desmond Napoles (aka Desmond is Amazing) wants to have an important talk about mental health. This is for the adults in the room, but also, it offers some things LGBTQ+ young people can do to prioritize their own mental health.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 youth aged 13–18 experiences a severe mental illness. For LGBTQ+ youth, this number is much higher, with 1 in 3 teens experiencing a mental health disorder. The LGBTQ+ community has long faced discrimination and prejudice, and as a result, mental health wellness is especially important. We are at risk for mental health issues due to the stress of living in a society that often rejects or misunderstands us.

Teen and young adult activists have been the backbone of many current social movements we see taking hold today — including movements around climate change, racial justice, gun violence, and LGBTQ+ rights.

According to the National Education Association, student activism is on the rise.

GoodGoodGood highlights just a few of the many teen activists who have and are currently leading the charge on social change around the world.

I am officially a LearningPlanet Youth Fellow!

WHAT IS THE LEARNINGPLANET ALLIANCE?

Created in 2020 by the Learning Planet Institute and UNESCO, the LearningPlanet Alliance is an established and growing community of diverse game changers and institutions transforming education around the world. The LearningPlanet Youth Fellows are a community of inspiring young individuals from around the world.

Discover all my fellow LP Youth Fellows here: bit.ly/LP_Youth_Fellows_Portraits

Looking forward to engaging with and contributing to a global community of inspiring youths committed to a better future!

“Should students who identify as LGBTQ be identified from monitoring software, and potentially be disciplined or punished?”

During the pandemic, 15-year-old Desmond Napoles looked up the definition of sexuality out of personal interest on their school-issued tablet. The New York City sophomore did not realize at the time that school administrators and teachers could be alerted to the search. As schools increasingly monitor students’ online activities, LGBTQ students find themselves at particular risk.

The tracking can “out” queer students because the software can notify school officials or law enforcement officers of searches related to sexuality and other topics. And it can make it harder for LGBTQ students, in particular, to access sexual health information online.

"During the pandemic, 15-year-old Desmond Napoles looked up the definition of sexuality out of personal interest on their school-issued tablet. The New York City sophomore did not realize at the time that school administrators and teachers could be alerted to the search.

As schools increasingly monitor students’ online activities, LGBTQ students find themselves at particular risk. The tracking can “out” queer students because the software can notify school officials or law enforcement officers of searches related to sexuality and other topics. And it can make it harder for LGBTQ students, in particular, to access sexual health information online.

The increase in district-issued devices during the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated worries among some queer students, who now feel they are constantly watched by their schools at home and school."

Boca Recovery Center, is a free web resource and 24/7 helpline that provides free information about addiction, pregnancy, eating disorders, and mental health issues.

Substance use disorders affect 20 to 30 percent of the LGBTQ population, compared to 8.4 percent of the general population, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Although great strides have been made, it's impossible to ignore the stigma, stress, and discrimination that members of the LGBTQ+ community face when seeking substance abuse treatment.

To help share more information, Boca Recovery Center created a comprehensive guide about substance abuse in the LGBTQ+ community, including information like:

- Drug Trends in the LGBTQ+ community

- Gender-affirming treatment guidelines

- How to help an LGBTQ+ person cope with addiction and more.

I'm proud to announce the publication of a new article about my entrepreneurship and the creation of my business Be Amazing NYC at 15 years old.

This article is featured on Go Solo, a website dedicated to stories about solo entrepreneurs. In this article, I talk about my motivations for starting my business, the challenges I've faced along the way, and my advice for other young entrepreneurs. I hope my story will inspire other young people to pursue their dreams and show them that anything is possible with hard work and determination.

After finding out that my events at the New York Public Library reading to children and doing crafts had been cancelled, I was devastated.

The recent trend of attacking LGBTQ youth and family Pride events is alarming. This type of hate speech and violence is not only dangerous, but it also sends a message that this kind of behavior is acceptable. We must stand up against this trend and show that we will not tolerate this type of bigotry and hatred. We must stand together and show the world that love always wins.

My children's book, "Be Amazing: A History of Pride" was recommended for Pride Month by USA Today.

Reading queer affirming books to children during Pride Month is a great way to show them that everyone is equal and should be treated with respect. It helps teach them about inclusion and acceptance, and can also be a fun and enjoyable activity for both parents and kids alike. There are a variety of great queer affirming books available, so be sure to check some out and celebrate Pride with your children!

Interviewing with Tim Van Erp from Winq Magazine was a lot of fun. I was joined for the interview by my friend Jandora.

The importance of LGBTQ+ youth visibility and representation in the media cannot be understated. For many young people who identify as queer, the media is one of the few places where they can see themselves reflected back. This representation is crucial for their sense of self-worth and validation. It also provides them with role models and examples of what is possible in their lives. For too long, LGBTQ+ youth have been invisible in the media.

It was a pleasure spending some time with some great kids in Westport, Connecticut during Pride month.

Reading queer affirming books to children during Pride month is a great way to celebrate diversity and show support for the LGBTQIA+ community. It is also a great opportunity to teach children about different families and relationships. These books can help children feel proud of who they are and show them that it is okay to be different.

I was honored to be named on DapperQ's Top 100 Stylish DapperQs of 2022.

Queer style is all about self-expression and making a statement. For the LGBTQ community, fashion is a way to show the world who they are and to feel proud of their identity. Representation in fashion is important for visibility and empowerment. When queer people see themselves represented in fashion, it can help them feel validated and included. Diversity in fashion is a step towards equality, and it is important to celebrate queer style in all its forms.