Gay 19 Year Old Jackson Lewis Becomes Youngest Utah Elected Official

Gay 19-Year-Old Jackson Lewis Becomes Youngest Utah Elected Official

Even as most of us are wildly upset about the outcome of this year's political election, we have to take our wins where we can! Headlines in Utah went crazy as gay, 19-year-old Jackson Lewis makes history as the state's youngest and first out LGBTQ+ person to serve on his local school board, therefore making him the youngest elected official. He will be serving the next four years on the Canyons Board of Education.

Content courtesy of IG: @Jackson_Lewis_4_Utah

Making headlines wasn't his intention. He was working at the state legislature's Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel and became aware of the many issues facing the education system and the state's passing over bills that would support the schools. He wanted to get involved to represent the teachers that got him through his high school experience.

Video courtesy of IG: @Jackson_Lewis_4_Utah

Among Jackson's focuses are book banning and chronic student absenteeism. He was often absent and believes moving to an applied learning system is more beneficial than lecture-led classes. He also thinks later start times will give students the rest they need. He also wants to work on better and well-maintained access for students on foot.

 

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Jackson sees his youth as a benefit to the rest of the school board. As a GenZer, he can relay what it is like to be a student in today's day and age with social media, peer pressure, and a fresh political view. He also knows the challenges students went through in going back to the education system post-Covid. Most board members are so out of touch with the actual student experience.

As a gay man, Jackson can also share his experience of coming out and being bullied during his education. He came out in 2021 and was the victim of homophobic slurs. He knows how being in the closet can play with mental health. Jackson comes from a queer household, he was raised by lesbian parents. He told The Advocate, "I did not like most of my time in school. When you feel like you have to hide yourself — even if it's not for any particular reason — it still is a scary thing."

Lewis believes the Democratic party needs to reach out to LGBTQ people even more to win the next election and talks about the party's need to use social media to mobilize a younger generation. He knows his generation isn't watching TV, but they are on TikTok.

He talks strongly about the queer community being visible in anti-LGBTQ areas. In his eyes, visibility is key in keeping our voices heard and fighting for our rights. In a strong quote to The Advocate, he states,"If you choose not to do politics, it doesn't matter. Politics will always choose to do you."

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