Gavin Grimm, Chella Man, and David Hogg appear in video urging youth to vote in 2018
Several LGBTQ activists featured in video urging Generation Z voters to head to the polls on Nov. 6
A group of young activists are sharing their reasons for voting in a video by filmmaker Darren Aronofsky that seeks to encourage first-time voters to head to the polls on Nov. 6.
Aronofsky, best known for The Wrestler and Requiem for a Dream, brought together several Generation Z activists — those in their teens or early 20s — who are now eligible to vote to ask them why they’ve chosen to become politically involved.
The video, which has been produced for the Sierra Club Voter Education Fund, highlights 15 youth activists involved in the movements for indigenous rights, gun control, rights for the disabled, immigrant rights, climate justice, and transgender equality, among others.
Featured in the video, titled “Why Do You Vote?”, are David Hogg, one of the survivors of the shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., and transgender activist Gavin Grimm, who made headlines a few years ago after challenging the Gloucester County (Va.) School Board’s policy that barred him from using the boys’ restroom.
Other activists who participated include Delaney Tarr, another Parkland survivor; Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, an indigenous rights and environmental activist; Chella Man, an activist for the deaf and hard of hearing community who is also genderqueer; Brinkley Smithers, who spreads awareness about the opioid epidemic; Edna Chavez, a gun reform activist; and immigration rights advocates Sandra Cornejo and Lisbeth Chavarria.
The activists explain why they’re choosing to vote in this year’s midterm elections, citing causes that are personally important to them.
“[I’m voting] for the safety of trans youth,” Grimm says in the video.
“I’m not voting for Democrats or Republicans. I’m voting for gun safety,” Hogg adds.
Several of the activists then urge youth to vote on Nov. 6, telling them to “be heard.”
See the video below:
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