A young gay hero takes his first steps

Fifteen-year-old Caleb Laieski is shaping our future. The Arizona teen co-founded a national anti-discrimination organization in 2008 – when he was a middle-school student. Now he’s working between classes and school breaks sending hundreds of e-mails full of statistics to legislators and local politicians – hoping to inspire policy changes favorable to the gay community. He also plans to meet with his school district to promote updates to school bullying policies and additional training for staff.

Recently Laieski’s father, Michael, drove his son to an HRC dinner and stayed. He was proud.

“There are so many profound things that have happened that it constantly impresses me,” Michael Laieski said.

Image: Charlie Leight/The Arizona Republic