#saygay

The 26th Annual Webby Awards is honored to recognize Jack Petcoz, Will Larkin, Abbie Garretson and fellow organizers for continuing a movement for the protection of transgender youth against discriminatory bills and legislation through #SayGay, and for using the Internet to draw attention to the urgent need to address policies that endanger the lives of young trans and LGBTQ people everywhere. 

In the wake of Florida proposing/passing its inhumane HB 557 bill, which bans educators from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade classrooms, Petocz, Larkin, Garretson and other youth activists have awed and inspired the nation by using their rage and the Internet to spur a wave of activism in defense of the rights of transgender youth and adults, and to address schoolboard members, lawmakers, and community leaders head on. As many states across the United States move to limit the freedoms and existence of transgender people, youth activists and those in Gen Z for Change are mobilizing with the Internet as their tool to spark progress and call attention to the failed actions of elected officials. 

From organizing school walkouts through #SayGay, penning letters to Governor Ron DeSantis outlining why this legislation is damaging to LGBTQ people, and drawing the country’s attention, their bravery, tenacity and deep care are leading the charge against these dangerous and anti-transgender policies. Moreover, the work of Petocz, Larkin, Garretson and youth organizers doing builds upon the #protecttranskids movement started in 2017 as a response to North Carolina passing the anti-transgender legislation House Bill 2. 

For using the Internet to confront anti-LGBTQ policies that aim to deprive LGBTQ people the right to exist and be supported, it is our privilege to honor the #SayGay movement and its organizers as Social Movement of the Year.