LGBTQ+ Advocates Making YouTube a More Accepting Place

To kick off LGBTQ+ History Month at TenEighty, we’re highlighting just a few of the incredible advocates making YouTube brighter with their education and entertainment.

From live panel discussions to published books, these creators aren’t afraid to speak up about their sexuality, gender, and unique experience in the world. Their content ranges from pop culture analysis to relationship tag videos to serious political debate — but all of them are working to help their viewers understand and appreciate the LGBTQ+ spectrum.

Rowan Ellis

There are few YouTubers that blend pop culture, feminism, and queer theory as seamlessly as Rowan Ellis does. She shares her pop culture analysis through a queer lens as well as thoughtful discussions on current events, feminism, and mental health. Rowan’s channel is a one-stop shop for everything from vulnerable conversations about homosexual dating and analysis of queer issues in popular culture.

Jazza John

Jazza John’s bio describes him as a “YouTube dinosaur”, but we like to think of him as a YouTube elder, showing us the way with his wise teachings. Jazza’s been talking about politics and LGBTQ+ issues since before most of our other faves ever clicked on YouTube dot com, and we all benefit from his experience and honesty. Recently he tackled the complicated issue of LGBTQ+ Americans and gun ownership in the wake of the Pulse nightclub shooting. While a lot of his content is serious takes on current events, he doesn’t hesitate to occasionally just gush about some great movies.

Riyadh Khalaf

Riyadh Khalaf has been absolutely smashing it lately as a YouTuber and an LGBTQ+ advocate. Between working on a book for “younger Riyadhs all over the world” and hosting a documentary series for BBC Three called Queer Britain, Riyadh is reaching as far as he can to inspire and educate others about LGBTQ+ issues. However, that’s not to discount his YouTube channel where it all started, where he continues to share stories and thought-provoking videos.

Amelia Ace

Taking her YouTube handle from the popular abbreviation for asexual, “ace”, AmeliaAce focuses on asexuality education through topics like fandoms, dating, and cultural misconceptions. And with LGBTQ+ History Month coinciding with Valentine’s Day, why not express some platonic love with her beautiful asexual Valentine’s Day cards? We think her channel is just ace! (We had to.)

Roly West

Roly West is gay, genderfluid, and completely unafraid to talk about sexuality and gender. On the Gender Identity panel at Summer in the City 2017, Roly said that education about non-binary genders helps cisgender people “understand that we do exist, and we are real”, and Roly helps do that themselves by speaking candidly about their own lived experience.

NeonFiona

If there’s one thing we love, it’s a YouTuber who’s able to talk about serious issues while having fun. NeonFiona discusses bisexuality and LGBTQ+ issues with an unshakeable humour. She’s known for tongue-in-cheek videos like Why I Won’t Date Bisexuals as well as serious conversations about relationships, sexuality, and prejudice.

Shosh and Mer

Couples YouTube is a whole genre in itself, but there is something entirely special and adorably sweet about Shoshana and Meredith’s channel. The international couple — Shoshana is from the United Kingdom and Meredith is from the United States — starting documenting their relationship in 2013 when visa problems forced them apart. Now married and living in the UK, Shoshana and Meredith continue to discuss their daily life as a couple as well as the unique challenges that lesbian couples face.

Rose and Rosie

While we’re talking about married couples, we couldn’t leave Rose and Rosie off of this list. Rose Dix and Rosie Spaughton have been making videos together since 2012 and continue to share their lives on YouTube. They infuse their candid conversations about LGBTQ+ issues like bisexual erasure and being gay (and bisexual) in school with the same humor that they display in their hilarious challenge videos, and it’s truly a joy to behold.

Jessica Kellgren-Fozard

Okay okay, just one more married couple — sort of! Jessica Kellgren-Fozard talks brilliantly about disability, chronic illness, and fashion, as well as making tons of videos with her wife Claudia. Whether they’re talking about lesbian films or just sharing a moment from their life together, they shine in every video.

Olly Pike

While many of the creators on his list seek to educate as well as entertain, they are primarily focused on an adult audience. Olly Pike went in another direction, setting up the channel Pop’n’Olly to present LGBTQ+ stories and resources to children, parents, and teachers. The channel features both directly educational videos and fairytale stories that teach lessons about acceptance, all presented in a kid-friendly cartoon style.

Alex Bertie

Alex Bertie has been documenting his experience as a transgender man online for many years, starting to share his medical transition in 2014 in a playlist titled The Quest to Alex’s Beard. That was eventually adapted into the tagline for his autobiographical book, Trans Mission: My Quest to a Beard. Nowadays Alex is still sharing education and advice about being transgender, interspersed with conversations about any other aspect of his life he feels like sharing.

So there you have it…

We hope you found a few new recommendations to start your LGBTQ+ History Month with. Who are your favorite LGBTQ+ YouTubers? Send a tweet to @TenEightyUK and let us know!

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