The Advocate: A Brighter Future: Meet The Advocate's '30 Under 30'

2023's 30 Under 30 Honorees

For many older folks, LGBTQ+ young people have it better than they ever could have imagined — communication to other queers at their fingertips, enshrined rights, increased visibility. But maybe those advances came at a price; one being paid by these same young people, now navigating a world where anti-LGBTQ+ hostility feels more threatening than ever. In this country, specifically, a right-wing Supreme Court stripped away federal abortion rights, while justices on that bench have threatened to reverse LGBTQ+ progress. On the state level, trans youth have become convenient scapegoats for Republicans ravenous for victories. Yet, even with all the darkness, so many LGBTQ+ young people refuse to hide their identities, cater to intolerance, or shrink away from the challenges of the day. They are not waiting for the world to change; they’re changing it. Meet 30 of these inspiring heroes below.

Justin David Sullivan (he/she/they), 26

Justin David Sullivan is a trans nonbinary singer, actor, and artist based in New York City who is currently starring in a history-making role as May in the critically acclaimed hit musical & Juliet. And although they could have easily been nominated for a Tony for their performance (the show has collected nine nominations total), Sullivan opted out of participating in this year’s Tonys in order to address the issues around gendered categories at awards shows.

“I felt I had no choice but to abstain from being considered for a nomination this season,” they said in a statement earlier this year. “I hope that award shows across the industry will expand their reach to be able to honor and award people of all gender identities.”

Sullivan, who is of Mexican and Korean ancestry, started their musical theater career at the age of 15 and went on to study acting and media production at the University of California, San Diego. Then they relocated to New York to make their Broadway dreams come true. Sullivan has landed several lead roles in hit musicals since, including A Very Potter Musical, High School Musical: On Stage!, Sister Act, and In The Heights.

“Being someone that young people can look up to means everything to me,” they say. “Growing up, I was not often encouraged to be my true self and it took a lot for me to learn how to love myself. I hope to inspire anyone that sees themselves in me to break the mold of societal expectations and to live their lives as fully and authentically as possible.”

When asked what they would say to LGBTQ+ young people who may be feeling sad or insecure right now due to all the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation happening around the country, Sullivan replies, “Be confident in knowing that there is nothing wrong with you; it’s the rest of the world that has it all wrong. You are not alone. Our trans and queer ancestors were no strangers to this fight and we will not be eradicated — resilience is in our DNA.” @justindavidsullivan