Jace Deininger

After coming out as trans and gay at age 14, Jace dove into social activism (especially LGBTQ+ youth visibility and empowerment) at his school and in his city. In high school he was his GSA’s co-president and gender and sexuality educator. He has participated in workshops for faculty, round table community discussions on diversity, and pride events around Utah, New Orleans, Oregon, and Paris. He has also been involved with the city’s LGBTQ+ task force and helped organize their entry during the 4th of July parade. Jace has worked hard to combat inequalities and injustices in his school and city. He envisions a world where LGBTQ+ youth and adults feel as safe, seen, and celebrated as anyone else, all the time. Jace is also planning a future involving many, many years of college, a few degrees, a career as a queer theory professor, activist, and summer camp counselor. Jace loves working with the queer community especially with his peers. As a high school senior, he joined Utah’s Planned Parenthood Teen Council, a group dedicated to fostering a safe environment for peer-led sex-ed in schools across the state. He dedicates himself to finding queer joy and a sense of community in his life and with his peers. Now a rising sophomore at the University of Oregon, you are most likely to find Jace at a queer rally, in a queer bookstore, or discussing current issues with his friends and/or teachers.