Adam Hoover, 18
Harrison, OH
Determined to see same-sex marriage passed in Ohio, then-17-year-old high-schooler Adam Hoover put his grassroots gumption to work last year, co-founding the group Marriage Equality Ohio and organizing the 2011 Rally for Marriage Equality in Cincinnati, where more than 400 activists and allies stood up for LGBT community.
Sparked by its success—and a swelling legion of supporters on the “Support Gay Marriage in Ohio” Facebook page—Hoover launched more rallies this year in cities like Columbus and Dayton. With an attendance of more than 3,600 people, a March 24 demonstration in Cleveland was the largest of its kind in the Midwest and included a speech by State Representative Nickie Antonio and a mass “wedding” of LGBT couples and allies.
Thanks to his outstanding efforts, Hoover was named a grand marshal at the Cincinnati LGBT Pride Parade in June.
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But this precocious activist’s energy isn’t exclusively dedicated to same-sex marriage: Now a freshman poli-sci/business major at Miami University, Hoover also fought for a revision of Ohio’s anti-bullying law to cover “any actual or perceived trait or characteristic of a student.” (Sadly the measure didn’t pass.) And on October 6, Marriage Equality Ohio is co-sponsoring an LGBT suicide awareness march and rally in Cincinnati. “I don’t ever feel like LGBT suicides are covered enough locally in Ohio,” says Hoover. “I don’t feel like it’s brought up enough. Something should be done in our schools.”
If anyone can make sure something will be done, our money’s on Adam.
Alan down in Florida
He is the future. May he achieve his dreams.
Derek Williams
So amazing, so wonderful.
tdx3fan
The cause is admirable, and this young man is amazing. In 2004, Ohio passed “Issue 1” which made the ban on gay marriage part of the Ohio constitution with 75% of the vote. Time will tell if 2013 has actually changed from 2004, but it really does not look all that promising. However, someone had to so something, and I’m glad that something is being done.
Freddie27
@tdx3fan: Issue 1 passed with 62% of the vote, NOT 75%.
LGBT Youth Allies
Congrats to Adam on all he’s accomplished! And don’t lose hope despite the inevitable frustrations — Young people are transforming the movement and the world.
Mike
LGBT Youth Allies
http://www.youthallies.com
orcanyc
Congratulations Adam, keep up the good work. So proud of a fellow Ohioan.
tdx3fan
@orcanyc: Not just a fellow Ohioan, but the dude is from Cincinnati. Cincinnati is the most virulently anti-gay city in all of Ohio, and is much more repressed than any other major city.
Avenger
Yay Caiden Cowger! Ooops…