WHIZ KID

The Kids Are All Right: AZ Teen Caleb Laeiski Goes From Being Bullied To Mayor’s Office

Queerty first met Arizona high-schooler Caleb Laieski when, as a wee 15-year-old, he told the Arizona school system they better address the issue of bullying or they’d find themselves on the receiving end of a nasty lawsuit.

Having come out at 13 and formed Gays and Lesbians Unite Against Discrimination, Laieski (right) faced bullying and death threats at his Arizona high school—threats that were ignored by administrators—and was forced to drop out and get his GED.

Laeiski continued his advocacy, though: Before he was old enough to drive, he lobbied politicians in DC to promote the Student Non-Discrimination Act. And we recently included him in our roundup of right-on young people making the world better for the LGBT community.

Now, Laeiski, who’s all of 17, is working part-time in the office of Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton as a youth and diversity liaison.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to work for one of the largest cities in our nation, and I look forward to continue making Phoenix a safer place for our entire community,” Laieski said in a statement. “I will strive to see the dropout rate lower, intervention by school administrations steadily increase and the suicide rate rapidly decline.”

This is a pro-bono gig, though the LGBT group One n Ten has arranged  for Laieski to get a small stipend. For his part, Mayor Stanton is tickled pink about his young out aide:

“I’m excited to have someone as talented as Caleb working in my office because I know he truly cares about our community, our city and our youth,” Stanton said. “I want Phoenix youth to have a voice in my office. I also want our students to be able to concentrate on their education for future success, not be bullied. All our kids deserve to live their lives, no matter who they are.”

We did the math, and Laeiski will be eligible to run for president in 2040 (we think). So far, he’s got our vote!

 

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