Lucy, Grade 10, Cary, NC

Queer rights in America have a turbulent past and a surprisingly troubled present. For her final project in the Democracy Action Lab, Lucy explores a sinister and unjust legal loophole called the LGBTQ Panic Defense. Her video — written, produced, directed, and edited by her — takes us through the intricacies of the panic defense and documents the state of queer rights in today’s America.

Iqra, Grade 11, Cranston, RI

For her final project in our Democracy Action Lab, 11th grader Iqra from Cranston, RI creates video PSA of the modern history of LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S. From the Stonewall Riots in 1969 to the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015, watch to learn Iqra's take on this important thread in our history.

“We the people are using our rights to revolt. With a justice mindset, we can achieve anything.”

— Iqra, Grade 11, Cranston, RI