As a champion for all young people, Zander Moricz is #StandingStrong to create a world where every young person can realize their right to live their authentic sexuality.
August 25, 2022
H ealthy Teen Network is pleased to announce Zander Moricz as the winner of the 2022 #StandingStrong Award. (Learn more about our awards and past awardees on our conference website.)
Zander Moricz is the Founder and Executive Director of the Social Equity and Education (SEE) Initiative. Since 2019, he has grown the SEE Initiative into a movement of over 2,000 organizers across the United States. In his home state of Florida, the Initiative is leading the student response to hateful legislation through mass organizing and campaign work. He is also serving as a plaintiff in the “Don’t Say Gay” lawsuit against Governor Ron DeSantis and the state of Florida.
A few months ago, Zander went viral on Twitter because his graduation speech was being censored by the school’s administration. His post garnered over 10 million impressions in two days. Orchestrating a statewide protest, SEE sent out 10,000 “Say Gay” stickers to be worn at graduations across the state and raised $50,000 in three days to support young organizers. He went viral again when he gave his graduation speech, garnering millions more impressions and a demand for thousands more stickers.
At his school, Zander served as both the first class president to ever be elected all four years and as the first openly-gay class president. Today, Zander is Campaign Manager for a Sarasota County Commission candidate whom he hopes will become the first Democrat elected to this role in over 50 years.
Zander understands and uplifts the collective power of young people. Zander is working towards a world where all young people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, are celebrated, included, and represented in policies that impact them.
Zander understands and uplifts the collective power of young people. Zander is working towards a world where all young people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, are celebrated, included, and represented in policies that impact them. It takes a legion of us, #StandingStrong, to create a world where every young person can realize their right to live their authentic sexuality. As a champion for all young people, Zander embodies this award.
Healthy Teen Network will present Zander with the 2022 #StandingStrong Award at #HealthyTeen22, our annual national conference, to be held October 17-19. Join us in Miami as we Dare to Dream of a New Era.
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