June is Pride Month, and we asked the Khan Academy team to share LGBTQ+ individuals who inspire them and make an impact on their communities, from podcasters to lawyers to engineers to animators. Our team members talk about why they are inspired by these people in their own words.
Michael Turrentine (he/him), actor, writer, and activist
“Michael is the embodiment of the word exuberance! On his podcast How’s Your Heart?, he and his friends talk about queer living with honesty, vulnerability, warmth, and joy. Listening always brings a smile to my face!”
Listen to How’s Your Heart? on Apple or Spotify.
Follow Michael on Instagram @mturrentine5.
—Duo, test prep content team
Tatiana Mac (she/they), an independent American engineer
“I’ve seen Tatiana Mac speak twice now and both times have been absolutely wonderful. Beyond her speaking, she also created the selfdefined.app, which I’ve used many times to help encourage people to be more inclusive and thoughtful in their language. Her work and her ability to share that work in engaging and helpful ways are extremely inspirational.”
Learn more about Tatiana Mac.
—Alexis, engineering team
Chase Strangio (he/him or they/them), lawyer and trans rights activist
“Chase works tirelessly to advocate for and protect the trans community! He keeps a regularly-updated list of anti-trans bills on his Twitter profile.”
Follow Chase on Twitter @ChaseStrangio.
—A member of the engineering team
Abigail Thorn (she/her), actress and YouTuber
“As one of the most well-known British trans women, Abigail discusses philosophy on the Internet, a known safe place to be a trans woman (narrator: it’s not)! Her videos have well-written scripts and theatrical flair, so they are both educational and entertaining.”
Watch Abigail’s videos on The Philosophy Tube. Watch a BBC interview with Abigail.
—Duo, test prep content team
Lily Zheng (they/them), author, advocate and DEI consultant
“Lily centers dignity and connection in their LinkedIn posts, talks, and training. They speak to the complexities of being human, how the past informs (and sometimes replays) in the present, and how desired change comes through ongoing individual and collective reflection with action.”
Learn more about Lily.
—Diana, legal team
Dana Terrace (she/her), animator and producer
“I’ve always been a fan of Disney, so it was extremely exciting to finally see a more inclusive animated show on Disney Channel—The Owl House—thanks to Dana Terrace. Having a show with LGBTQ+ representation on Disney Channel when I was younger would have been a huge deal, so I’m so excited to see that happening now!”
Follow Dana on Twitter.
—Alexis, engineering team
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