5 Things You *MUST* Know That Happened Last Week

1. The Incredible Chicago Gay and Straight Alliance Prom

Last week, 150 high school students across Chicago gathered in the South Side to attend the annual Gay and Straight Alliance Prom. 16-year-old Carlos was anointed prom queen and 17-year-old Jovanny was named prom king. This prom had no dress code and allowed every young person to choose for themselves whether to be nominated for king or queen, regardless of gender assigned at birth. As one student said, “It feels great to be myself with a bunch of people who are also in same-sex relationships and feeling like we’re not being judged.”

Now in its eighth year, this dance is a leader in inclusive school practices, offering a space for LGBTQ+ students to have fun and also get important information from community providers on issues that disproportionately affect them. Read more at The New York Times.

2. More Multiracial Families in Commercials

There’s been a trend in advertising the past few months -- more multiracial families are the stars of ads from big companies like JPMorgan Chase, Tide, and Macy’s. Larry Chiagouris, a professor of marketing at the Pace University Lubin School of Business, says, “There’s no doubt that the incidence of these commercials is at least double what it was five years ago.” These commercials are a major step forward for equal representation in media of all the distinct and diverse families that make up our country. Read more at The New York Times.

3. Young Black, Queer Georgia Politician Sworn in on Malcolm X Autobiography

Mariah Parker, the new county commissioner for Athens-Clarke county in Georgia was sworn into office this week. Unlike most elected officials who use a Bible during the ceremony, Parker used Malcolm X’s autobiography when reciting the oath. She did this to emphasize her politics and what she stands for: racial justice. Parker didn’t initially see herself as someone who could run for office and win, having battled with anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.

Still, she says that “You can’t wait for a hero to show up. If you see injustice and you see a need for someone to take action, it has to be you. Some of [those past struggles] are important for the styles of governance I strive to have.” Right on, Mariah. Read more at Teen Vogue.

4. LA Does Water Better Than Your City

Los Angeles may not be the city that comes to mind when thinking about water -- they’re literally in a desert and for the past few decades, have imported water from Northern California and surrounding states to meet their massive water needs. But, the City of Angels is in the midst of a technological transformation, looking to use technology to 100% sustainably and locally source their water by 2025.

This is HUGE in the age of climate change -- the more local your water is, the better it is for the environment. Los Angeles’ advancements in water are thanks to a city government dedicated to the fight against climate change. Read more over at Wired.

5. National Die-In Commemorates Pulse Shooting Anniversary

On June 12, communities across the country remember the lives of the 49 people -- most of them young, LGBTQ+, and Latinx -- killed at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando on June 12, 2016. Gun violence affects all people’s safety, especially marginalized communities like that of LGBTQ+ people and people of color.

Thousands of young people are protesting in solidarity with their families, with the survivors, and with all others affected by discrimination and hatred by hosting die-ins for 12 minutes in various cities. Die-ins were also held in front of the offices of various elected officials who support the NRA. As David Hogg, student activist from Parkland, has said, “the young people will win.” Read more at Teen Vogue.

DoSomething.org is the largest not-for-profit exclusively for young people and social change. Our digital platform is activating 6 million young people (and counting!) to create offline impact in every US area code and in 131 countries.