Advocates for Youth Celebrate A Quarter Century of Youth Power And Activism

This September, the nation’s capital became a center of youth-led activism and vision as Advocates for Youth marked the 25th anniversary of its annual Youth Activist Institute. The milestone event—held in Washington, D.C.—gathered 100 young leaders from diverse backgrounds for a week-long program that fused training, advocacy, and community building, all focused on advancing reproductive and sexual health justice, with a particular focus on the needs and voices of LGBTQ+ youth .

Since its founding, Advocates for Youth has been at the forefront of youth-led movements for social justice, centering the experiences and expertise of young people in shaping policy and public discourse. The Youth Activist Institute, now in its 25th year, has equipped thousands of young leaders with the skills and networks needed to advocate for their communities, with significant attention given to supporting LGBTQ+ youth in the fight for dignity, health, and equality .

This year’s institute was both a celebration of past achievements and a call to action for the next wave of advocacy. “Together we have worked to develop and advance a vision co-created by youth of the future we deserve—filled with joy, love, community, and opportunity,” said Jennifer Rodriguez, Executive Director of Youth Law Center, reflecting on the broader youth advocacy movement and its allies .

Participants in the 2025 Youth Activist Institute engaged in intensive workshops on organizing, media advocacy, legislative strategy, and intersectional justice. The program prioritized the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ youth, Black, Indigenous, and youth of color, and young people living at the intersections of multiple marginalized identities. Sessions covered reproductive justice, comprehensive sex education, and the urgent need to defend LGBTQ+ rights in the face of legislative attacks sweeping state legislatures nationwide .

A highlight of the week was a collective lobbying effort on Capitol Hill, where participants met with lawmakers and policy staff to advocate for inclusive, evidence-based policies that support the health and autonomy of all youth. These efforts built on a long tradition of youth-led policy change, from the passage of the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program to more recent advances in LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination protections .

The celebration also provided space to honor the trailblazers who have shaped the advocacy landscape over the past quarter-century. The stories of alumni who went on to become policymakers, community leaders, and activists highlighted the ripple effect of sustained investment in youth power .

A commemorative panel featured former institute participants who reflected on their journeys from first-time activists to national leaders. “When I went in 1999 and testified, and the Chafee bill got stuck in the Senate Finance Committee… I pointed at the pictures of them with their kids having happy moments, and said, ‘We want what they have. And there’s no reason not to give that to us,’” shared Terry Harrak, now a manager at the Youth Law Center’s Quality Parenting Initiative, emphasizing the importance of love, support, and relationships for youth in care .

The event also spotlighted the publication of a new milestone report chronicling 25 youth-driven policy victories over the past 25 years, including advances in reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ equality, and foster care reform. The report serves both as a historical record and as a resource for emerging advocates, underscoring the central role young people play in progressive change .

LGBTQ+ youth remain central to Advocates for Youth’s mission. The organization’s programs have championed the leadership of transgender youth, youth of color, and those living at the intersections of multiple marginalized identities. At the institute, LGBTQ+ participants led workshops on navigating identity, combating discrimination, and building coalitions for change.

Participants shared stories of resilience in the face of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation, demonstrating the importance of solidarity and mutual support. “The tobacco industry continues to target our communities, but we refuse to be silent,” said a youth advocate from the Ramsey County Student Action Team, recently honored at the 2025 Youth Advocates of the Year Awards .

The week concluded with a renewed commitment to intersectional advocacy and an affirmation of the power of young people to drive national movements for justice, health, and equity.

As Advocates for Youth looks to the future, the organization is doubling down on its commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders—especially those from LGBTQ+ communities. The challenges ahead are significant: reproductive rights, comprehensive sex education, and LGBTQ+ equality remain under threat in many parts of the country. Yet, the energy and determination on display at the 25th anniversary institute offer hope that youth-led movements will continue to shape a more just and inclusive society .

Advocates for Youth’s leadership has called on policymakers, educators, and community members to invest in young people as agents of change. “We are celebrating youth power and leadership, new allies and champions, new funding and resources for youth, new policy reforms, and new hope for a vision that truly positions youth to thrive by 2035,” said Jennifer Rodriguez .

The 25th anniversary celebration in Washington, D.C., stands as both a tribute to decades of youth advocacy and a launching pad for the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders determined to shape a more equitable future for all.