Shaping democracy through policy and pride: OutVote and the MPP experience

I co-founded OutVote amid the 2024 US election to create a movement that empowers young LGBTQIA+ people to engage more deeply in American democracy, but what I did not anticipate was how much of my learning and growth as a founder would come from studying far beyond my country’s physical borders.

Mobilising queer youth voters

OutVote works by training and supporting youth organisers across the country who mobilise their peers to register, turn out and vote in local, state and national elections. We focus on creating a space where queer youth can see their identities reflected in political power and understand that their voices truly matter. What began as a small project has quickly grown into a national youth-led organisation, equipping LGBTQIA+ Gen Z voters with the tools, skills, and confidence to mobilise their communities and vote with pride.

I am confident this work is more important than ever. Across the US, political actors are espousing rhetoric that seeks to increase obstacles to voting for LGBTQIA+ Americans while continuing to target local government leaders and educators who create safe spaces for queer and trans community members. With almost one-third of Gen-Z identifying as members of the LGBTQIA+ community, now is the time to organise our peers to embrace their potential for electoral impact and create a more representative, participatory democracy.

Lessons from the MPP

Looking back, I can clearly recognise how much of this journey has been shaped by my time at the Blavatnik School of Government. As I prepare to lead OutVote full-time this fall, I’ve been reflecting on how the past year has sharpened both my vision and my capacity to lead. Studying the Master of Public Policy (MPP) has grounded me in the theory and practice of public policy while simultaneously pushing me to think more boldly about how social change actually happens.

Classes such as the ‘Politics of Policymaking’ gave me a clearer understanding of the institutions that shape outcomes in American democracy, and where grassroots power like OutVote can make a real difference. Through sessions on political institutions, interest groups, regulatory design and media influence, I started to see OutVote not just as a civic engagement project, but as part of a broader ecosystem fighting for democratic resilience. For example, our 2025 Fellowship Program will empower young organisers to identify and utilise political cleavages that can strengthen democratic participation and civic engagement in particular marginalised identity groups.

In Professor Karthik Ramanna’s course, ‘How to Lead in a Polarised World,’ I was offered a powerful lens into the types of leadership required in this moment of democratic fragility and increasing polarisation. We explored real-world case studies of leaders navigating sharp ideological divides, misinformation, institutional distrust and deep moral disagreements. As someone working to engage young queer voters in an increasingly divided political climate, these lessons felt especially relevant. The course challenged me to think beyond traditional models of advocacy and to instead ask: how do we hold moral clarity and strategic humility at the same time? How can OutVote adjust to the contemporary political moment while drawing important boundaries around work and impact?

The ‘Evidence and Public Policy’ course underscored why effective public policy requires intentional data collection and analysis. Understanding our target demographic is important, which is why we are launching OutVote’s research efforts this year under the leadership of 2023 MPP graduate Josh Babu. As a historically under-researched identity group, understanding the needs and perspectives of young LGBTQIA+ voters is critical to effectively empower and uplift their voices.

But not all of the growth came from the classroom. One of the best parts of this year has been the friendships I have built with classmates who are leading impactful initiatives in their own communities around the world. Their courage, creativity and relentless belief in what’s possible have kept me grounded and inspired.

I’m excited to bring everything I’ve learned at the School back to OutVote. My time at the School has made me a more thoughtful strategist, a more curious collaborator and a more grounded organiser. In a time when cynicism feels easy, I feel more committed than ever to the long game of building something better.

To get involved with OutVote, check out our press highlights, donate to support our work or even better: apply to join the brand-new OutVote Action Network. There is a lot of work ahead – but I believe deeply in the power of young people, especially queer young people, to transform politics with both their votes and their visions.