V127: THE THOUGHT LEADERS ISSUE

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THIS ISSUE STARTED WITH THE UPCOMING ELECTION, BUT DOESN’T END THERE. IN A HIGHLY POLITICIZED, HIGHLY POLARIZED WORLD, “VOTING” OCCURS WITHIN EACH OF LIFE’S QUIET LITTLE CREVICES, FROM YOUR FIRST SIP OF MORNING COFFEE TO WHAT YOU READ BEFORE YOU DOZE OFF TO SLEEP, (FOR THOSE OF US WHO STILL SLEEP). GIVING UP YOUR SUBWAY SEAT TO THE ELDERLY IS A VOTE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY. RECYCLING IS A VOTE FOR OUR PLANET. WEARING A MASK IS A VOTE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS THE WELL-BEING OF ITS HEALTH WORKERS. THE AGGREGATE INERTIA OF THE ABOVE IS IMMEASURABLE. BUT THERE IS OF COURSE THE LITERAL VOTE IN NOVEMBER. AND WHILE YOU MAY BE LESS THAN THRILLED WITH YOUR OPTIONS,

IT’S WORTH REMEMBERING—SO MUCH OF WHAT YOU ENJOY IN LIFE HAS BEEN VOTED INTO REALITY; SO MUCH OF WHAT YOU MISS HAS NOT. ARTISTS, LIKE THOSE THAT FILL THESE PAGES, ARE FORMED LARGELY BY THE SOCIETY AROUND THEM. SO FOR THOSE OF US THAT WILL BE “FINE EITHER WAY,”— CONSIDER THE BOOKS YOU WON’T READ, THE MOVIES YOU WON’T SEE, AND THE COLLECTIONS YOU’LL NEVER WEAR IF WE DON’T VOTE FOR A WORLD THAT FOSTERS CREATIVITY AND OPENNESS. WHETHER IT’S THE SUBTLE VOTE WITHIN YOUR DAY-TO-DAY ACTIONS OR WHAT YOU DO AT THE POLLS, VOTE NOT ONLY FOR THE POLICIES UPON WHICH YOU STAND TO GAIN, BUT FOR THOSE THAT WILL PREVENT AN IRREPARABLE CULTURAL LOSS. MR.V

CONTENTS FEATURING ARIEL NICHOLSON BELLA HADID BETH DITTO BETHANN HARDISON BILLIE EILISH BOWEN YANG CARLINA RIVERA CHINQPINK CHLOË SEVIGNY CHRIS EVANS CHRISTY TURLINGTON CONAN GRAY DILONE ELAINE WELTEROTH EMILY RATAJKOWSKI GABRIEL OCASIO-CORTEZ HALSEY ILANA GLAZER JABARI BRISPORT JADEN SMITH JANAYA FUTURE KHAN JANELLE MONÁE JARI JONES JENNIFER LAWRENCE JOEY LABEIJA JULIANNE MOORE KIMBERLY DREW KING PRINCESS KYLE FARMERY LADY BUNNY LAURA DERN LAURA HARRIER LEYNA BLOOM MARIAH CAREY MAXWELL MEGAN RAPINOE PADMA LAKSHMI PAPERBOY PRINCE PATIA BORJA PERFUME GENIUS PRECIOUS LEE SAAD AMER SEAN FORD TAYLOR SWIFT ZOSIA MAMET INTERVIEWS BY CZAR VAN GAAL DANIA CURVY KEVIN PONCE MATHIAS ROSENZWEIG OWEN MYERS SAM ANDERSON

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ON THE COVERS Halsey wears top Celine by Hedi Slimane Janaya Future Khan wears top Gucci, earrings Cartier Mariah Carey wears top MICHAEL Michael Kors, earrings Cartier Megan Rapinoe wears top X Karla Paperboy wears top Megan O’Cain, watches Pasha de Cartier, rings Cartier, all other jewelry his own

© INEZ AND VINOODH

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RAISE YOUR VOICE ONE HOT SUMMER NIGHT IN AUGUST, OUR CONVERSATION AT DINNER WITH STEPHEN GAN TURNED TO HOW ALL THE MEDIA BUSINESS IS DOWN BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC. WE THEN DECIDED TOGETHER THAT SINCE THE MAGAZINE HAD NOTHING TO LOSE AND NO ONE TO PLEASE, THERE WAS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE OUR VOICE AND DEVOTE THE ENTIRE ISSUE TO OUR NATION’S BIGGEST CONCERN: MAKING SURE THAT EVERY AMERICAN USES THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE. NO FASHION, NO RULES, ONLY FREEDOM OF CHOICE! WE’VE SEEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF BRILLIANT PEOPLE TAKE TO THE STREETS TO PROTEST RACIAL INJUSTICE, TO FIGHT FOR WOMEN’S RIGHTS, OR TO BEG TO REVERSE THE EFFECTS OF OUR CURRENT GOVERNMENT’S ECONOMIC CHOICES ON THE CLIMATE, BUT IF WE DON’T VOTE FOR THE LEADERS WHO STAND UP FOR OUR RIGHTS WE MIGHT AS WELL JUST SIT ON THE COUCH AND PLAY VIDEO GAMES. WE SET OUT TO PHOTOGRAPH 45 OF OUR MOST EXCITING THOUGHT LEADERS AND ASKED THEM WHY THEY VOTE FOR CHANGE. TAKE THEIR LEAD, GET TO THE POLLS ON NOVEMBER 3, AND BE AN ACTIVE PART OF CHANGING YOUR FUTURE. THE TIME IS NOW, NO ONE CAN JUST SIT THERE , YOU HAVE A VOICE! KISSES, INEZ AND VINOODH

V IS FOR VOTE!

BY INEZ AND VINOODH

ARIEL NICHOLSON

MODEL AND ARTIST

“Ever since Trump was elected, it’s felt very disheartening—almost like the system failed me and failed us. America was never great. We colonized land; this land doesn’t belong to us. The country is in shambles, and there are so many pressing issues that need to be addressed. The current administration isn’t meeting the [challenge]. When I vote, I want to put my voice behind someone who will at least stop the bleeding. We need to stop the chaos going on. But at the same time, it’s okay to make sacrifices to ensure that we have a relative calm, and can heal a little bit—before we continue resisting and radicalizing.

“I don’t have a huge following, but I do have enough of a following, and the advocacy work that I do feels very personal and meaningful. It’s my goal to create space for the trans and queer community by existing and advocating, and also making space for more marginalized people than myself, or people who have different intersections of their identity that make their lives more difficult.

I am constantly just checking my privilege, and saying, ‘Yes, I am trans, but I‘m also white; I’m also able-bodied.’ I believe all of those things play a factor in my

success and ultimately play a factor in who I am.

“I worked at a camp this summer in Port Chester, New York, and I considered coming out to my kids. I wasn’t sure it was appropriate or necessary, but I think kids should be exposed to different identities, whether it’s a trans person or [other] diversity—especially if a caregiver figure has a different background or has a different story. It’s very humanizing, and I think that’s how we can begin building the world back up. Right now, everything feels broken.

“For people my age it’s [important to] unlearn the like systems of oppression that we’ve internalized. I’m constantly trying to disentangle my own internalized transphobia and the inherent trauma that comes with being trans in this society.

And I’ve been trying to unlearn the inherent racism that comes with existing as a white person and benefiting from white supremacy. I’ve been trying to ask myself, How can I be an appropriate ally?” OWEN MYERS Ariel wears top Calvin Klein 19

BELLA HADID MODEL

“Voting is a right we have as part of a democracy. It is a freedom that many people in this world do not have, so being able to use our vote to help individuals and communities across America is a right we should all exercise.

[I am voting to] represent the younger generation. We all have a lot to say and want to be as vocal as possible—[voting] is how we can put our thoughts into action and see the changes we want to see. [We should all] vote as if the issues presented to us [as a society] are personal to us. Individually, it may seem like your vote isn’t that important—but this isn’t true. Every vote really does count, and will contribute to seeing the outcome that you want to see in this next election. Use your rights to make an informed decision that you believe will help your community, and every other community in America.

“In order to fight for social justice on a personal level, you have to remind yourself constantly that not everyone will agree with you, but it is still worth it to push forward and have those uncomfortable conversations. It’s about the greater good, always, whether it shows short-term or long-term effects. There will always 20

be opposing views, [but] keep going! I feel it’s also important to check in with your family, friends, and peers, to see how they are affected by [social issues].

If we all make an effort to help lift each other up, it can make a huge difference in someone’s ability to process social issues. A few people that come to mind [when I think of Thought Leaders] are Cleo Wade, Symone Sanders, Tamika Mallory, Indya Moore, and Janaya Future Khan.

“I encourage people to continue addressing and discussing the social issues they are passionate about, on a regular basis. [Now], more than ever, we are seeing that we have the ability to make change, whether it be in an election year or not. Whatever the outcome of the upcoming election, we have much more work to do, and [more] change to see happen. As part of the younger generation of voters, I feel a responsibility to keep these important conversations going and take action however I can, for our future.” CZAR VAN GAAL Bella wears Dior Beauty

BETH DITTO

MUSICIAN

“We are on the brink of surreal levels of fascism, that is why it’s important to vote.

I’m voting this November because it’s the only thing that makes me feel like I have power to change this system that is broken. People were like, ‘Well if it’s not Bernie, I’m not voting.’ And when people say that, it’s usually people who have nothing to lose. It’s usually people who don’t know any kind of struggle, whether it be racial inequality or LGBTQIA+ rights. It’s usually coming from people who don’t face disadvantages in this country. You have to understand that this could mean someone’s health care or job. This could mean someone’s immigration status. This could be the difference between freedom and jail time for someone.

There’s so many things that are at stake. It’s really time to show up for those people and think about what it’s like to be in their shoes.

“It’s easy to read headlines about another Black person getting murdered by the police and become desensitized to it. It’s happening so often that it’s not surprising, it doesn’t feel jarring anymore and it becomes desensitizing eventually. We can’t let that feeling make us complacent and make us complicit

at the same time. I support the protests completely. You could hear them all over town for days, maybe even weeks. It made me really proud. It made me realize this is why I live here [in Oregon]—the togetherness, compassion and strong sense of community. If I wanted to experience a mind-numbing, right-wing hellhole, I would’ve just never left Arkansas.

“Just vote—just fucking do it. It takes like 10 seconds, it’s really that easy.

Maybe that’s just me speaking from a place of privilege. Maybe in other places it isn’t that easy, but that is why we have to band together. We’ve got to rally everyone we possibly can at this point. If somebody you know needs help voting, whether they’re elderly or young—it’s our duty to help them cast their ballot. If you have a neighbor who needs a ride [to the polls] offer them one. I think It’s important to remember that in any social movement, no one in power has done the work for us. We’ve always done it ourselves and that’s not going to be any different now. So even if the election doesn’t go the way that we hoped— we just can’t take no for an answer.” CVG 21

BETHANN HARDISON MODEL AND DIVERSITY ADVOCATE

“For me, it’s important to vote because growing up knowing that there was so much in my background, being a person of color like generations of people being raised in this country. And the sacrifices they made, that because of slavery they could not even be allowed to learn to read. You’d have to go from the lowest man on the totem pole of what you couldn’t do and how oppressed people were. So when these progressive things happened, slowly but surely, things started being allowed, and I owe it to those who fought. I owe it to those from that moment, to Dr. King, being able to go and fight for the rights for people to vote. It’s a civic duty and surely a racial concern. You think of your own race and you have to do it.

“I concern myself strongly with the Senate and the House of Representatives. I don’t know if we will be able to—but where I’m voting—my vote would be leaning more toward trying to change this administration. So that’s not only voting consciously for the President of the United States, but also looking at the other offices that are very important.

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“I would love it if we could help the police to understand how to be better officers, although I know it’s a delicate balance; I’ve always believed in the police and law enforcement. I grew up in Brooklyn, and I used to gang fight as a kid. So it was one precinct that we always had to go to—the 77th precinct in Brooklyn.

The cops were Irish and they were all great, they all were kind to us. When you have a situation, you want that arm, you definitely do. But you don’t want the arm that’s just as radical and out of control. I just have to say it needs a lot of help.

“Defunding the police is one thing, I understand that, because you want us to shift the balance of the budget. But getting rid of the police? No, I don’t believe in getting rid of the police, I believe in improving. I don’t know if that could happen, but it would be a beautiful thing, wouldn’t it?

“I de-stress with tequila, a hammock, and stretching. Now, during this COVID time, you can’t get into a lot of things you used to do. But it’s really through relaxation and forethought you have to be conscious of everything and take deep breaths.” DANIA CURVY

BILLIE EILISH

MUSICIAN

“It’s the first year I can vote. As much as it can feel tedious and like it doesn’t actually make a difference, it really does, and I’m excited to be able to use my voice and my vote to try and help make a difference in this country. It’s important because making your voice heard really matters. It can feel like you’re just one in a million, but everyone is one in a million, and that means everyone is just as important. We need people in power who are going to fight for us and our planet, and we need to show up this year to make a change.

“The lack of awareness and the lack of concern I see from some people about climate change and racial injustices is really worrisome to me. And even when people are talking about making change but not doing anything, that keeps me up at night. There is so much we need to be working on as a society, it can be

hard to think about sometimes. It’s pretty tough to stay hopeful right now given the current climate, but thinking about what I have—even small things like waking up in the morning—makes me grateful.

“It’s important to understand what’s going on in the world and to keep yourself well-informed, but at the same time it can be a lot and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed and give yourself room to breathe while fighting for our rights and the world. We can not look away from the injustices of this world when it’s inconvenient or when it gets too hard, but it’s important to check in with yourself and to make sure you can keep going.” MR Image from V121 Cover Story, Billie wears rings (index and pinky fingers) David Yurman rings (middle and ring fingers) Chrome Hearts 23

BOWEN YANG ACTOR AND SNL WRITER

“I still believe that [voter] turnout is the best remedy. [That said], I am whiteknuckling it until Thanksgiving. I’m staying hopeful but also informed, [to ease that feeling of] not having control. [Being informed about] voting early, dropping your ballot off at your local board of elections...It feels like so much falls on the individual, which is deeply, deeply dark to me. That shouldn’t be how it is in order to make sure an election is legitimate. So I am finding pockets of hope, [while] working to ensure that this election is as unadulterated as possible.

“This is the first general election that I’m not voting in Colorado; I finally changed my registration to New York. But I’m paying very close attention [to other state races]—getting as full a picture as possible of the progressive Democratic body. I can’t call myself a card-carrying [Democratic Socialists of America] member, but I’m very closely following their meeting minutes.

“The remarkable thing about SNL is that we’re able to comment on what just happened, in real time. Keeping an ear to the ground is part of the show’s DNA. [It can be] very reactionary, but that’s just how it is—partly as a result of this 24

constantly keyed-in climate we’re in, where every New York Times notification gives [me] a micro panic attack.

“I am in no place to give tips on coping...with anything. The trailer of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City came out today, and I was like, ‘Great!’ But then I saw, ‘Premieres November 11!’ and thought, ‘Oh god...I don’t know if I’ll be in the mood.’ Depending on what happens, I may not need to watch wealthy, religious women swimming in their wealth in the suburbs.

“I feel like that’s pretty universal now. Even with the [Las Culturistas] podcast…

Matt [Rogers] and I never set out to be political. But we recently had on [Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s brother], Gabriel Ocasio-Cortez, who played a big part in getting AOC elected. We ended up being really proud of that episode.

We’re definitely not experts in any regard, but we speak to issues that feel personal to us.” SA Bowen wears shirt Armani Exchange, necklace Cartier, ring his own

CARLINA RIVERA

NEW YORK CITY COUNCILWOMAN FOR THE SECOND DISTRICT “This election is probably one of the most important in history. It represents changing, not just the face of the White House, but how we will implement policy that is truly inclusive. We [have to] work around anti-racism and anti-poverty and build an inclusive agenda for immigrants and trans people, and everyone else who has ever felt marginalized. Right now, the rhetoric that comes from Washington is not lifting up those people.

“People in my district ask me all the time, ‘Why does my vote matter?’ And I try to really speak to my audience, whether it’s about getting that upgrade in your child’s school or making sure that there is healthy food available in a local market. All of that’s on the ballot in who you choose and how they fight for you.

We’ve fought too hard to get people to that ballot box; we just had the centennial for women’s suffrage—100 years of women voting. And that was white women.

To get Black and Indigenous people of color to the ballot, it’s taken more time and a little more work. And so right now we have to focus on voter suppression, which happens to a lot of people. I tell people all the time: Your vote is your

voice. It counts every time. And it only takes a couple of minutes anyway.

“When you look at my community—the East Village, Lower East Side—it’s really ground zero for New York City gentrification. And it’s really changed, but you want to find a balance. People come into the East Village because it’s still edgy, and it’s so pretty. It’s still a community of artists and young people. And then you have these older activists who have been there for a long time that were marching against the Vietnam War. You have this beautiful tapestry of stories that you can kind of see, or overhear at an outdoor cafe.

“What I handle is everything from people who are living below the poverty line to someone who just wants to get a good night’s sleep. To unwind I love to listen to music. You know, I’ll put on Bad Bunny or Cardi B, or something a little bit more chill. I love doing my sheet mask and hanging out with a good fashion magazine.

And I cuddle with my pug. His name is Yoshi.” OM Carlina wears jacket Louis Vuitton 25

CHINQPINK MODEL

“Growing up, I thought very differently of the world. It’s a very reflective moment, as far as what I’ve learned and then unlearning things and seeking truth. It’s liberating. Voting within your local community is important because it is an opportunity to advocate for underrepresented members of the community. We, as a whole, can imagine a better future if we stand for human rights with no prejudices. I believe that the way we’ve been governed is not right. The only way to change that is by speaking out. [My home state of] Hawaii was illegally occupied, and there’s no justice there because no one’s listening to the natives.

For example, the [proposed] Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea, which was [the site of] a church for indigenous Hawaiians. They’re building a railway right now, and they are finding bones every single day and they’re putting them in boxes. It’s a perfect example of how little respect the [state] government and the U.S. has had for native Hawaiians.

“If I could change one thing about America, I’d give the land and tax dollars to the native and Indigenous people. We live on stolen land and in the process 26

America has wiped out the rich culture and practices of the natives, and instead is exploiting the land and culture for profit. If people knew the truth, I think there would be more anger and more people speaking out. Hawaii is a perfect example of how the U.S. has strategically hid the truth of this, by not owning up to the illegal occupation of the Kingdom of Hawaii.

“This year feels very unreal. For three months, I was constantly posting about things that I would see on the Internet about what’s going on around the world.

All the injustices in every system. There’s a lot of lies that’s been fed to us and there’s no one to hold accountable. It began to weigh down on me to the point where I needed to go and come back to what I do on the daily. I continue my life with my regular routine for self-care. It’s important to me that I live normally so I don’t burn myself out emotionally. It’s really just about finding a balance. I’m not an activist, I just care. No one really tells you how to fight for human rights and still live your life every day. I’m trying to figure out where I fit in, in this so-called revolution.” OM

CHLOË SEVIGNY

ACTRESS

“Voting is important simply to affect legislation as much as we can. Whatever issues are important to you, and for me there are countless—from women’s rights, equal rights, and the environment—voting determines whether those issues are addressed and how they are addressed. Getting someone in [office] who is more aligned with my values, someone who can affect the Supreme Court, and so many other countless areas of our government is the reason why I vote. I just want to make my voice heard, it’s as simple as that.

“A lot of people think—if I don’t know about all of the policies and I’m not informed, I’m not sure if I can speak out. I feel that way often, but all of our voices and votes matter. I hear Rosario [Dawson] and I’m like, ‘Wow, she’s so comprehensive. If I’m not that comprehensive, do I still have a voice? Do I still have an opinion?’ I would encourage everyone to read as much as they can about their local representatives and whatever race we’re going into. Especially for this presidential race, and use that research to form your own opinions.

“As a new mom I think, How do we change the system? This system is broken

and it’s just not working. I am hoping for someone with a voice of reason leading us and [hoping] just to dial down the hatred and anger. The negativity [from] this administration is so fierce and to have someone who can shine a little more positivity out there is what we all need—and I look forward to that. We need a breath of calm, even if [Biden] is not ideal, he’s better than what we have now.

“Someone inspiring me at the moment is my friend Winnie Wong, who is one of the founding organizers of Occupy Wall Street. She went on to work for The People for Bernie [Sanders], and following that she actually worked closely with Bernie on his campaign. Winnie is extremely vocal and she’s always on the streets, at all the protests. So just being around her definitely inspires me and fires me up. I [also] think Taylor Swift is amazing in how outspoken she is when using her platform. Cardi B and her whole Bernie push, I found that really inspiring. Honestly, their passion is so contagious. We need people [like them] who can reach certain demographics, especially [the] young people, which is who we really need to get out there and vote.” CVG 27

CHRIS EVANS

ACTOR AND CO-FOUNDER OF A STARTING POINT “I knew I had to begin work on [my political engagement platform] A Starting Point after Trump got elected. I disagree with a lot of Trump’s policies, and I personally have a very strong stance on that, which I vocalize on my social media. But my biggest concern is that his methodology is designed to divide. He has never once made an effort to bring us together. [A Starting Point] is designed to inform people so they can take a side. “[As an actor], the lack of expectation from me [in the political world] actually played to my advantage. When no one expects much of you, it takes the pressure off! It’s more of an uphill battle in terms of getting the ball rolling, because people do a bit of a double take—‘Who wants to interview us?’ But now that we have established what we’re trying to do, it’s gone pretty smoothly.

“I think we are on the cusp of a really motivated, driven generation of young people who are very awake and connected. It’s such a platitude, but they really are the future. It’s always the students, isn’t it? Whether it was the civil rights in the ‘60s or today, it’s always young people [working toward change]. With every 28

younger generation, they care less and less about the archaic social norms that people before them are trying to preserve. Now, more than ever, young people are involved in shaping the political and social landscape. It really is like a potter’s wheel and these young voices are molding our future.

“Regardless of Hollywood’s leanings [to the left], there’s ticket buyers across the spectrum. I may not be blackballed from Hollywood for having emotions that spike, but people might not turn up for my movies. You have to understand that you might be alienating a part of your audience. There’s a time and a place for rage, and I think that’s a last resort. You can just cast a wider net by saying, ‘What do you think? Get involved and form your own opinions.’ I’m trying to find more effective ways of coming together. I model it after the way you operate within a relationship. If you want a relationship to work, you have to listen and understand what the other person is thinking and feeling, even if you disagree—and work on finding commonality. As good as it feels to shout your opinion, you garner more results with a more empathetic approach.” OM

CHRISTY TURLINGTON MODEL AND FOUNDER OF EVERY MOTHER COUNTS

“I truly believe that participation is the right of all rights. You can’t fully participate in society if you don’t exercise your right to vote. I am voting because it is my civic responsibility to vote and to add my voice to the group of Americans who are fighting for equality in every representation of it. The first election I was eligible to participate in was in 1988. I had only recently moved to New York from California and hadn’t registered in time. [If you are voting for the first time] you need to make a plan in advance. Ask your school or employer well in advance for time off to vote. Make sure you are registered and have the correct address.

Go early and do your research in advance. It can be a long wait in the best of times, so prepare to really wait now. You will feel proud to have voted no matter what the experience was like afterward.

“There is a total lack of accountability in the world right now. That’s very

worrying to me most days and nights. Reproductive rights, maternal health, and health care generally are always areas I am following closely. Education is also another area that concerns me. I admire Stacey Abrams and the work she has done on voter suppression through Fair Fight. I only hope that we can ensure a fair election on November 3.

“I am a mother, so I have to be hopeful. My kids are my investment in the future. [Children] look to their parents and those around them to stand up for them, if not for ourselves. They are a constant reminder to use my voice and all that I have to create a world we want to live in. I came across this quote by David Rockefeller yesterday that I wrote down. ‘If necessity is the mother of invention, discontent is the father of progress.’ Even if we do get the outcome we hope for, the work will not end. We have to continue to fight for what we believe in.” CVG 29

CONAN GRAY MUSICIAN

“I grew up in the South, in a very conservative world. My friends and I were all raised to be good Texans. Whatever that meant, it wasn’t what we wanted to be, or what we wanted America to be. With the help of the Internet, [I realized] that conservative values only [represent] a specific group of people and not the world [at large], in the slightest. Texas, like all of America, was built upon systemic racial inequality. That is a fact. Police brutality has [existed] in America forever. Once I realized how different my experience was from [that of so many] Americans, I wanted to stand up with those who have suffered at the hands of racial injustice.

That’s something [our] generation must do if we would like to see actual change in this country.

“Aside from that, I think climate change is extremely urgent right now.

If we want a future to live in at all, we need to make sure we are voting [with the environment in mind]. I totally agree that it’s hard to stay hopeful at times.

America is not what I want it to be right now. When it comes to my [music], I’ve written a lot about how it feels [to imagine] the future right now. I think everyone 30

can agree that it feels so uncertain at times, and that can definitely be so scary.

But what I love about music is that it has always represented the people—it has the power to give us hope and make us feel heard and seen. It’s a very stressful time and to be able to find comfort in music is something that I am doing, and have always done throughout my life. I hope that what I’m saying in the music can provide a little bit of comfort to people and [let them] know that they’re not alone in this time.

“The future is very much in our hands. I urge everybody, all of the youth across America—but especially in my home state—to use their privilege of being able to vote. Texas very much lies right in the in-between, which includes the youth and young people. It’s just an ever-changing place, and it’s important that it also looks that way politically. By voting, by standing up with the people who have suffered from the hands of racial injustice, we can [center] civility and love. That needs to be done as soon as possible in this country, with this generation. We actually have the power to do it this time.” SA

DILONE MODEL AND ACTRESS

“If there’s anything that you want to challenge, it’s important to vote. I remember growing up feeling like I didn’t have the capability to create change, and voting gives you that power. [Causes] like health care, climate change, racial inequality, immigration, gun control, criminal justice, workers’ rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, reproductive rights, taxes, foreign policy, college affordability—all these things you have control over [when] you say, ‘This matters to me, and I want to do something about this.’ I feel like the fashion industry has been very understanding of [its] power in a time like this. We’ve acknowledged that voting is so important and it’s a privilege to have so many eyes on us, so [when we] say ‘This is the time when you need to vote’, it feels like a duty more than anything.

“Someone once told me that when the world feels like an unbearable and chaotic place, go inward. That’s something that I practice [and try] to uphold. I find [that] meditation, exercising, and taking breaks from social media [are] really [necessary] for my mental health right [now] because it’s important that we don’t get fatigued—when we take care of ourselves, we can help other people be

hopeful and stay positive [because] there [have been] so many [figures] in the past, if they had not stayed positive or vocal, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Maya Angelou, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X—we’ve had and have so many incredible leaders, and I really believe there’s a big spiritual awakening happening. There’s a lot of looking at the man in the mirror and [asking], ‘What can I change?’

“With social media, we see the power that we have on such a huge scale.

There is a big group of people out there that want to create actual change, and I think it’s really incredible [to see that]. Educating yourself and understanding what you’re learning is so important—that way when you speak on behalf of those things, you know what you’re talking about. Exercising your right to speak up, and saying when something is right or wrong [is] a good way to start [fomenting change].” KEVIN PONCE Dilone wears top Guess 31

ELAINE WELTEROTH

WRITER AND CULTURAL AMBASSADOR OF WHEN WE ALL VOTE “Our democracy is at stake in this election. That is not hyperbole. We have to fight like hell against voter suppression. We need every single eligible voter to do more than just cast a vote—we each need to [convince] the non-voters in our networks to cast their [votes], too. There is too much on the line for us not to put it all on the line.

“It’s important to remember that not everyone in our country has access to vote. There are immigrants and formerly incarcerated people who contribute to our communities and are affected every single day by the laws of this land but yet, they are left out of the political process. I vote with their interests in mind, and I vote on behalf of the people who came before me, who fought for me to have this privilege. As a descendent of enslaved people in this country, it is a freedom my ancestors fought hard for. I truly believe not [voting] would undermine their sacrifice and their fight. It’s the absolute least I can do to effect the change I want to see in the world.

“Minnesota is an example of a fairly new critical swing state. It has been 32

primarily a blue state since 1932, but Trump nearly won in 2016. Now, after George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis and the protests that have ensued, followed by Minneapolis’ motion to abolish the police department, divisions are growing and voter outcome is particularly unpredictable, especially with both presidential candidates now touting similar messages addressing crime spikes and rioting.

“I am always inspired by the way Brittany Packnett uses her voice as an educator and activist to break down and [shine] light [on] complex, intersectional issues that impact the Black community. I admire Angela Rye’s fearlessness and unapologetic approach in speaking truth to power on every platform from television to social media. Conversations with young people give me hope that the more equitable future we are fighting for will be achieved because of their fervor and their continued fight. So many of the young people I know are light years ahead!” CVG Elaine wears top Pyer Moss

EMILY RATAJKOWSKI

WRITER AND ENTREPRENEUR

“Voting this year is particularly important because there is so much at stake.

Four more years of a Trump administration and a Republican-controlled Senate could be permanently detrimental to our country. I endorsed Bernie in both 2016 and 2020. I was very disappointed when he and Elizabeth Warren left the race.

While Joe Biden is not the progressive candidate I had hoped for, I’m hopeful we can push him further to the left with pressure from the growing progressive movement in this country. Ultimately, I can’t sit this one out and watch the country move further to the right without doing everything in my power, (however limited my personal power may be), to get Trump out of office.

“I think in some ways this is a very exciting time. People are pissed off. They’ve learned about our oppressive history as a country and capitalism, and now they’re thinking big and demanding systemic change. I want to see billionaires taxed and big corporations regulated by the government. Their unchecked greed is connected to so many crucial issues our country is facing right now: climate change, the exploitation of the working class, the privatization of health

care, the opioid crisis, systemic racism, and an ever-expanding class divide.

“I’m particularly worried about the way in which we dismiss people who’ve moved to the right in recent years and the whole ‘us vs. them’ attitude that is rampant on both sides of the political debate. I want the left to reach out to those who’ve felt disillusioned by the political establishment rather than dismissing them as ‘stupid.’

“Educating yourself and focusing on the belief system you build personally and connecting to others who hold similar political ideas can help you stay connected and feel less disheartened at the inevitable hurdles we will continue to face. Sometimes the most important work is internal—ask yourself questions you’re afraid of that you don’t hear enough people asking. Read. Encourage progressive thinkers to take positions of power and support them! We have a whole lot of old white male politicians in power. You can’t keep encouraging people to vote if there is no one they like running! We need to see fresh faces in politicians and positions of power ASAP.” MR 33

GABRIEL OCASIO-CORTEZ ARTIST & SPECIALIST IN HOMELESSNESS

“It’s important to vote because it’s sacred. There’s blood on your hands if you don’t. You’re spitting in the face of everyone who died overseas, and everyone who volunteered to give their life potentially just for your sake of having a voice.

Working with my sister [Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez] was one of the first times that I actually had faith in the government. I could actually say, ‘Hey, I know that that’s a decent person, fighting for decent things.’ And I could honestly bet my life on it.

“Growing up [in the Bronx], our morals were based on having respect for the spectrum of socio-economic tiers. It was about respecting where everyone comes from. [Her success] was never a surprise. She leaned into her struggle, and I leaned into mine; we’re both people who know who we are. But back then, you wouldn’t really have thought of it—American government is not something that a Latino family really associates with their kids. The system was pretty effective at laying at least a shadow of the idea that you don’t belong there.

“Working in a homeless shelter, I’ve heard people encouraging families of five 34

and six to be moved into a New York studio apartment. That’s what happens when people are forced into being voiceless. Most people don’t realize exactly how many people are homeless. It’s a recurring theme in the gay community, where [partying] is glamorized. When you run away from family, you’re with your friends, and you’re so tied to the community that you’re with, and you don’t want to label that as something that’s not healthy and a real problem.

“Everyone needs to pay attention to the new generation. They have got their shit together. In a few years, they’ll be in Congress, the median age will go down, and we’ll be able to expedite a progressive agenda. Can I see my sister sitting in the Oval Office one day? It’s still her decision—but yes, as long as America can see it. At the core of America is the hope for something. That’s what the Kennedy era was all about: nobody knew how they were gonna get a man to the moon, but they knew they were gonna get it done.” OM Gabriel wears top and jacket Ermenegildo Zegna

HALSEY MUSICIAN AND ACTIVIST

“It’s more important to vote right now than it has ever been. There are millions of lives at risk, and if it’s not millions of lives, then it’s the safety and comfort of millions of lives. I’ve seen my fans line up outside of a venue for three days to get into a concert, and I’ve seen people line up outside of a GameStop because a new Call of Duty game is dropping. They should be doing the exact same thing at a polling center. It’s like, Go get in line!

“I’m mixed-race and white-passing, and part of the [Black Lives Matter] protests put me in a position where I was subject to being shot with rubber bullets, and where I was subject to violence. Part of the reason for my participation is because my family is Black. Every time I see a name in the news, it could be my family. Being subject to violence [at the protests] gave me a lot of perspective.

I’ve always been a part of an activity like that since I was a pre-teen—I was in the streets for Occupy Wall Street—so I’m a seasoned protester. I see people’s values change as they start making money, but they haven’t changed for me.

“I want to see America funding separate institutions that benefit the

well-being of different communities. The defund the police [movement], and the deconstruction of that really means putting more money into social services and mental health services. I’ve seen the way that mental health services can turn someone’s life around, as someone who received them at the benefit of the state before I was making enough money to be able to afford it myself.

“There is an expectation of public figures right now to be politically outspoken.

When I first started in 2014, I feel like I was chastised for speaking politically, and now the tables have turned where you are chastised if you don’t. Which you should, but it also puts movements at risk for becoming homogenized or watered down. Like, the idea that the Black Lives Matter banner on your page is just commodity, and detracts from the movement. My favorite thing is when public figures take the opportunity to pass the mic and uplift Black voices using their platform. The right thing is to say is, ‘This isn’t about me.’” OM Halsey wears top and jacket Celine by Hedi Slimane, watch Pasha de Cartier, earrings her own 35

ILANA GLAZER COMEDIAN AND CO-FOUNDER OF GENERATOR

“Voting is hard, and it shouldn’t be hard. If we can order alcohol, food, and sex toys to our door on the phone, why can’t we register to vote on our phone?

It’s so fucked up that voting is made so confusing and so hard. They want us to feel so ashamed—to be shamed out of participating in the system. [But] I refuse to feel stupid...So, we created a web series called ‘Cheat Sheet for the Voting Booth,’ which was basically a COVID-friendly version of the work I’ve been doing since 2016, when I co-founded a non-profit for voter empowerment called Generator. ‘Cheat Sheets’ is a web series where I interview actors, musicians, athletes, etc., who have authentic connections to swing states. The first episode was with my partner, Abbi [Jacobson], who is from Pennsylvania. Her family is there, her childhood memories are there...And we just talked it out. We went down the ballot, shining a light on candidates who are fighting for basic human rights. Most of them just want more access to affordable health care; more money in the public education system.

“In Pennsylvania, [they’re] talking about environmental protection and providing 36

clean drinking water for Pennsylvanians. It’s pretty, ‘Duh,’ you know? And to see how winnable these races are...it’s, like, [a difference of] 100 votes. A PTA meeting or Sunday church congregation’s worth of votes. That’s how winnable these races are. It was really powerful to see Abbi’s love for Pennsylvania growing [as we went through] these races.

“And we talk about top-ballot, too. We talk in a real way, you know? I am not trying to just reduce the situation to something that is not true. [The truth is] I am not stoked for Joe Biden. I am not trying to fool anyone like, ‘Biden is my guy, I love him! Joe Biden is perfect.’ But he is very, very good in comparison to the other ticket. I am not stoked, but I am down as hell to vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Because another four years of Trump is a matter of life or death.

Another four years of Trump is leaning toward the death part. The death of so many people and our planet.” SA Ilana wears middle necklace Cartier, top and bottom necklace her own

JABARI BRISPORT

DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR NEW YORK’S 25TH STATE SENATE “I’m the first queer person of color to ever serve in the New York State Senate.

Or, I guess, the first openly queer person of color. That’s really new. And it’s really historic. I cut my teeth in the fight for same-sex marriage in 2009. We lost that fight, but we came back in 2011. We doubled down on our efforts, hit the phone banks, and we won! It felt great to have a big win—for myself as a queer person, but also for a movement. I [realized that] I could make change if I really put my heart into it. I noticed all these issues in my community that needed to be addressed, so I ran for State Senate this year and won.

“In my district in Brooklyn, [which includes Park Slope, Bed-Stuy and Red Hook], everything is a balance. With over 300,000 people, no one agrees on everything, but you find unifying things. Everybody wants affordable housing, because the rent [in New York City] is out of control. Education is always a concern—I’m a public school teacher, by the way—and people are worried about the schools being underfunded.

“In my district, Barclays Center was a place of action in the first few days of

the protests this summer, and what came out of that was Occupy City Hall. I was astounded at how efficiently and beautifully that arose. People were finding ways to de-escalate conflicts and solve problems without police involvement. When you put a bunch of abolitionists together, you start to get a sense of what a world could look like if we resort to the band-aid of a person with a badge and a gun.

“There are a lot of hot-button issues right now, like the ‘Walking While Trans’ bill, which is an anti-loitering bill targeting women—predominantly trans women and women of color—and accusing them of soliciting sex work. Drug laws enable cops to target Black and brown people. [What we should be focusing on is] guaranteeing health care to all people—queer people and people of color, especially, who are less likely to have health care. That’s super important.

“We have a fight against neoliberalism in this country, but also against fascism.

I believe in voting to ensure we have a chance to push for these agendas.” OM Jabari wears top Armani Exchange 37

JADEN SMITH MUSICIAN AND ACTIVIST

“I’m voting because I haven’t been happy with the leadership. I don’t feel as though I’m being represented or that I’m being listened to, or that the Black community is being represented or listened to at large. Things need to change, starting with how we treat the people of color in the nation, and how we’re allowing these systems of racism to still exist and for us to still follow them. That’s the main thing that keeps me up at night.

“Everybody has different ways of balancing themselves out—I try to get enough sleep and get into the ocean as much as possible. That [spiritually] cleanses me, and it’s how I protect myself, because we have to keep going. I use my music as a way to talk about things, demand change in the world and try to open up people’s eyes. I’m not only using the clothes I designed, but the clothes that I wear to raise awareness about things. ‘Vote AF’ is a loungewear collection I’m releasing to bring this voting culture into the youth so that we can get [them] on board in a public manner.

“I partnered with Vote.org because I wanted to find an organization that would 38

help educate young people about voting. In my first voting experience, I was so discombobulated and uninformed on what I was voting for besides the president.

From that point on, I wanted to really dedicate myself to helping people vote in a more educated way.

“There’s so many of us that want to make a difference, some who even said that they would vote and then didn’t show up. If we all get out to the polls, we could really make a difference this election. We have all of these protests, marches, and people aligning. We all know what we want, what’s wrong in the world, and what justice looks like. We can feel it in our heart. I have faith in humanity, still. It’s important for us to realize that things would be different in the world right now if all of us voted last time. Your vote does count, and [the government] is trying to convince you that it doesn’t matter so that they can control you—and that you won’t have a say with what’s going on in the world you live in. It’s important that we all know that whatever we want to change, we have the power to do it.” DC

JANAYA FUTURE KHAN

ACTIVIST AND CO-FOUNDER OF BLACK LIVES MATTER CANADA

“It is always so important to take every opportunity we have to punch up at unjust systems of power. The idea of voting as a singular effort at change doesn’t work.

But is it a necessary one? Yes. We should always be fighting the consolidation of power, and especially when that power is corrupt. As a green card holder, I cannot vote in this country yet, but I am doing the work of ensuring that people are registering to vote and understanding the significance of this particular moment. We’re so powerful when we come together. it’s incredibly powerful when we tie our fate to one another. And in a way, when we are protesting on the streets together, it is because politicians have failed to protect [us]. So we protect each other, we become the light in the abyss. And when we shine together, my god—there’s no stopping us.

“To young people out there, and to anyone who feels like their voice won’t make a difference—our whole lives we are taught to shrink and that our voices are not enough. We’ve been told that we have to contort and make ourselves small to fit into a status quo. The question for us is, are we going to accept the

story that we are born into or are we going to write the story that we deserve and rewrite ourselves into a narrative in this society that is more just? [Voting] means fighting for life, it means fighting for your life. The kind of life that you want to live, the kind of life that you deserve, the kind of life that you have been denied. A lot has been stolen from us on so many levels, but we have to fight back. The way to live a remarkable life is to fight for freedom, fight for justice, and to fight for liberation. Voting is one of the ways that we can do that.

“The rolling back of protection for the trans community [keeps me awake at night]. The language that is being used right now to roll back on trans rights is an attempt to keep trans people out of public spaces. It is the very same language that was used to keep Black people out of public spaces and restrooms in the ‘60s. So, really, what we’re seeing is recycling of awful, hideous, and discriminatory legislation in this country. ” CVG Janaya wears top Gucci, earrings Cartier 39

JANELLE MONÁE ACTOR AND ARTIST

“This country is on life support. The current administration is not even lending an ear to the people: Black people, women, the LGBTQIA+ community...The people I love. I grew up in one of the poorest counties in Kansas City. My grandmother was a sharecropper in Aberdeen, Mississippi, who migrated to Kansas for a better life. She had 12 children and worked as a cook at the county jail for 25 years. This is someone who was alive when women couldn’t vote and lived through the [passage of] the Civil Rights Act. It was deep for her: She lost friends and family members, saw her brothers and sisters killed, for trying to integrate.

She encouraged us to vote in their honor.

“As I got older, I understood that [with] local elections the [elected officials] are the ones enabling the president’s decisions. It’s the local elections that give the fuel to the fire. If you’re upset with how the current president is abusing his power, he’s not doing it by himself. [There are] elected officials on the local level who support him. When we’re screaming, ‘Abolish the police,’ it is because we understand that the police were not built to protect and serve us. I didn’t know 40

this, but I do now: The first policing institutions in the South, during the civil war, hunted down runaway slaves and killed them. They killed anybody who was trying to revolt. There is still no justice for Breonna Taylor, or for my cousin, who was murdered by the police.

“The reason why I will be voting is to vote against racist policies that have continued to oppress and traumatize Black people. I have been gerrymandered. Before the election of [Atlanta mayor] Keisha Lance Bottoms, my county was redistricted, meaning her name was not on my ballot. After the election, they went back to the original counties. That happened to me. Then the [gubernatorial] election was stolen from Stacey Abrams. When [Abrams] reached out to me about her documentary, All In, I knew that I had to be a part of it. We’re in the middle of a revolution and what’s a revolution without a song?

I will be voting for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, and I’m excited to hold [them] accountable. And when Stacey Abrams does [eventually] run for president, I will be voting for her. She is the real deal.” SA

JARI JONES

MODEL

“I’m a Black trans woman. Right now, under the administration of he-who-will-notbe-named, protections for trans people are being rolled back and affecting my community in ways that can mean either life or death. You know, financial scarcity in the Black community is a result of America in general but especially of this administration. Voting, for me, is important because it’s going to allow us to vote in a candidate that we’re going to be able to hold accountable. As we’ve shown over the last couple of months, we have that power. And if that accountability is not held, then we tear that shit down.

“My community gives me life and energy. We’ve had to come together in trying times, whether we’re talking about pre-Jim Crow or the gay civil rights movement. If we didn’t have each other then who was gonna watch out for us?

We have to be everything for each other. So Jari Jones is a model, a mother, and a sister. I’m playing all those roles, because that’s the only way we’re going to be able to survive and stick together.

“Family units are so important. I think it’s why we fight so hard to keep them

together. I think sometimes the message gets screwed when we’re talking about [families] outside of a binary family system...But we are what America is supposed to be about. It’s supposed to be about this melting pot. It is supposed to be a place where opportunity is actually meant for all.

“I am everything that society tells me is wrong. I’m a darker-skinned Black woman. I’m plus-size or fat, whatever you want to call it. I’m trans. So on paper it’s like, ‘She’ll never be a Calvin Klein model.’ She’ll never be in high-fashion magazines. I see [my Calvin Klein] billboard as a kind of vision of what we’re fighting toward. We need that, especially in the time of Black Lives Matter. When you’re talking about systemic racism, you can’t see the end goal. But when you have a visual of a marginalized woman, the most marginalized woman, let’s say, being celebrated on a billboard on the most expensive piece of real estate in New York...That can happen. The future can happen in the present.”OM Jari wears top Celine by Hedi Slimane, necklace and rings Cartier 41

JENNIFER LAWRENCE ACTRESS

“Voting is the foundation of our democracy and our freedom. And I would consider this upcoming election the most consequential of our lifetime. I’m voting for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris this year because Donald Trump has and will continue to put himself before the safety and well-being of America. He does not represent my values as an American, and most importantly as a human being.

“I’ve been a board member of Represent Us for just over three years. It’s an incredible non-partisan movement and anti-corruption organization working to unrig America’s broken political system, and put power back in the hands of the American people. To date, the movement has passed 114 transformative anti-corruption acts and resolutions in cities and states across the country— huge wins toward fixing our broken elections, fighting against gerrymandering, stopping political bribery, and ending secret money in politics. The hope is to make Americans aware of the corruption in our government, so we can vote it out. Gloria Steinem has always been a personal hero of mine. She has spent a lifetime truth-telling, freedom-fighting, and turning rightful anger into meaningful 42

progress. Tamika Mallory is doing great work for the Black community with her organization Until Freedom. And there are so many others fighting tirelessly. As a white American, I’m listening, learning and trying to show up as an ally. The Black community is not safe or treated equally and that needs to change.

“The bad news can feel overwhelming at times, but the most important thing is to stay focused on the ways we can all be a part of the solution. In the wake of the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others, I’m inspired by the millions of people around the world who have banded together to finally say, ‘Enough.’ From their collective pain, there has grown a huge appetite for change—people are passionate, invested, and demanding policy reforms. And it’s working. From the passing of Breonna’s Law in Louisville, to police reforms in Minneapolis, the collective voice of the people is enacting real change, and that gives me hope. But there’s still a lot of anger, which I think is important.” OM Jennifer wears top and jewelry Dior, watch Pasha de Cartier Makeup: Hung Vanngo using Dior Beauty, hair: Ben Skervin

JOEY LABEIJA

MUSICIAN

“I’m voting because another four years of Donald Trump running America is detrimental, and not an option. If there’s one thing that has to change, it’s that police have to stop killing people. There needs to be crazy police reform. We need to stop giving them money and we need to give it to the places that they are literally terrorizing.

“I grew up in the Bronx, moved to Brooklyn and then back to where I grew up.

My neighborhood is really far out—the last stop on the 2 train. I’ve been arrested for stupid shit, like smoking weed outside of my house when I was 15. So I never fucked with the police. It’s funny, because I went to high school in a really rich neighborhood in the suburbs, in New Rochelle. In that community they think of the police as protectors, but I would then go back home to the Bronx, knowing that we don’t fuck with the police. [It was understood that] they are not to be trusted. Even if a cop is a good person, he still works for a really bad system. This is a discussion I’ve had to explain to family members. It’s hard.

“Another thing that needs to change is our health care. Something I’ve been

dealing with a lot lately is, why is our health care system so fucked? And why is it such a pain in the ass to try to take care of your mental health? It was a lot going through the pandemic, and it was starting to wear on me mentally. I had to release music right when it started and it felt super wrong. Personally, I’ve been learning to just take every day, whatever the mood is, and just lean into it. Like, tomorrow is gonna be better—or it could not be. It is what it is. Because the fear of the future is almost horrifying.

“I’ve been in the House of LaBeija since 2012. It’s the first house, so joining was less to be a voguer—dancing is not my thing; competition is not my thing—and more about being part of this legendary thing that started here. My community has been super important to me at this time, and I’ve been reaching out more.

We just hang out on FaceTime, talk about shit, and how we’re going to navigate through this. It’s definitely made all of us a lot closer.” OM Joey wears top, (over shirt) Balenciaga, shirt (underneath) and jewelry his own 43

JULIANNE MOORE ACTRESS

“It’s important to vote because it’s our responsibility. We have liberties and freedoms in our country and advantages that not everyone has. It’s something that we as citizens, have to do and a right we shouldn’t take for granted, especially when so many aren’t afforded this right. We need to all be actively participating in our democracy, and one degree of participation is voting. It’s a fundamental way to effect change in our society. It’s often that we don’t feel that we are true participants in our own government or we’re led to believe that our voices don’t matter—and it does matter. I think that the more we speak out about our needs as society, the more pressure the government feels, which forces them to make a decision. If we come together, our voices cannot be ignored.

“One person who has inspired me consistently over the last few years, and the reason that I became involved in the gun safety movement, is Shannon Watts. She’s the founder of Moms Demand Action, which is one of the biggest grassroots movements in America. After [the] Sandy Hook [shooting], she founded this movement and basically used that platform to say that something 44

has to change. Gun regulation in this country is incredibly lax, and these senseless deaths are preventable. Shannon is actually the reason that I ended up going to Everytown for Gun Safety to form the Creative Council—which is a group of actors and artists who speak out about gun safety regulation in the U.S. I’ve been working very closely with EveryTown for Gun Safety for the last five or six years, and I will continue to use my voice and platform to bring awareness to causes like this.

“These last few years have been disastrous to the U.S. There’s been an erosion of decency and civility [to an extent] that I’ve never seen in my lifetime. Gloria Steinem once said, ‘The best thing about [living] a really long life is that you can remember when it was worse.’ So I think when you’re feeling hopeless, and like absolutely nothing is going well—realize that while yes, there is still a lot of work to be done...we actually are in a better spot than we were in 100 years ago. I think it’s important to keep that kind of perspective, just to keep yourself going and ultimately to keep fighting for change.” CVG

KIMBERLY DREW

WRITER AND CURATOR

“I will be voting because it is my patriotic duty. I wish I had a more creative answer. But I think on a very base level, the right to vote is a part of [your] civic duty. If you’re feeling disenchanted with voting, it’s important to not allow that disenchantment to disengage or disarm you. It’s my hope that anyone who feels disenchanted can find enchantment in finding their space. Beyond that, look for as many ways as you can to get engaged. What politicians do is one thing, but the policy work that’s done also really matters. Voting is a valuable way to participate in our political process, which makes so many decisions about our bodies and our lives.

“What makes this year unique is the reporting—because [racist] violence is not new. The volume of Black trans women that are murdered is not new. The ways in which so many are disenfranchised is not new. But our ability to be more aware is increasing. We’re seeing a cultural shift happen, both from a statistical standpoint and also in the sense of how we’re building those narratives.

“Right now I feel inspired by Ceyenne Doroshow of [grassroots LGBTQIA+

organization] G.L.I.T.S., and Dr. Sarah Lewis; she’s like my big sister. She’s been able to look at larger structural systems through an art lens, and how those systems affect the work and our humanity.

“I don’t see breathing as being very different from writing. I don’t see waking up in the morning as being very different from writing. Whether I’m eating a burrito or writing a paper, all these things happen in a society in which I live in constant fear of violence. And I live in a consistent proximity to Black death.

There’s never an ‘on or off’ switch.

“In moments of crisis, of change, and of imagination, it’s so important to pay attention to the visual shifts. We all have the opportunity and the agency to be witnesses. What’s most valuable to me and my work is empowering others to be witnesses as well. The visual language is shifting, absolutely. Let’s all watch together.” OM Kimberly wears dress Simone Rocha, earrings Cartier 45

KING PRINCESS MUSICIAN

“Voting is truly the ultimate civic duty that we are given as people. The first election [where] Trump was elected, I couldn’t vote and it was fucking heartbreaking. It made me feel shameful that I couldn’t vote, but I voted [recently] in state elections. I was so fucking proud to put in that ballot because it meant that I was voting not just for myself, but for the country.

“The problem right now [is that] I’m seeing so much negativity around our options [with] who to vote for. I’m seeing a lot of people on the Internet go— ‘Okay, Trump is evil, but Joe Biden’s evil too, so we’re going to lose either way.’

To that I say, ‘if you’re starving and your options for food is something you don’t like or poison—you’re gonna pick the thing that you don’t like, and you’re going to eat it to sustain your life instead of eating poison.’ That’s what this election is about; the lesser of two evils. It’s about taking something that is a shitty situation overall and using your voice to reclaim a semblance of power and equality in this country. We are at an imperative point where we can either choose not to vote because everybody sucks, or you can literally [choose to] do the right thing and 46

vote for the betterment of this country. Because, quite literally, it can get worse.

“We are living under a dictatorship and basically everyone who isn’t a white male is at risk. Women’s reproductive rights are at risk. The protection of Black and brown individuals is at risk. The protection of trans and queer people is at risk. The protection of immigrants is at risk. Everyone is at risk unless you are a white man. We’ve never experienced so many different forms of heinous oppression in this country. We’re under attack, and there’s no better time [than now] to be unified.

“White supremacists have always been in this country and we have a president who’s like,—‘yeah, come out of hiding and be proud [of] your supremacy.’ It’s unbearable and people are dying. Dying from all different sorts of pandemics right now. Pandemics of racial violence, [and] an actual medical pandemic. You have to vote, our future depends on it.” CVG Image from V117 Cover Story

KYLE FARMERY

DESIGNER AND MODEL

“We all know 2020 has been a nightmare, but the question is: ‘What’s really wrong with this year?’ During the coronavirus situation, we haven’t been told the truth. It’s important to change that. We’ve been told all kinds of lies from our administration. We’ve got to get someone who can teach us the change. And in politics, the voices of LGBTQIA+ community are not really heard. I think there are a lot of powerful LGBTQIA+ leaders out there who are fighting for change, but I don’t think the administration really takes that completely seriously until it becomes a huge situation. There needs to be more listening to our voices and what that should mean for the world.”

“I’m a native New Yorker, and I’ve lived in Tribeca my whole life. A lot of people left during this pandemic, and I want to say, ‘Adios, sayonara, good luck to them!’

Of course New York is super scary during a pandemic. But if you don’t feel the pride in staying here, then go. Get out. Because it brought the community of people who are made to be here closer. I’ve heard some weird numbers of what percentage of New York is empty, and that’s fine. It was so dense before so I

really think it’s okay. I think for nightlife it’s kind of scary, though. I’d love some genius to come up with a way to put us all in one space, but we need a genius.

I don’t really have an answer for how to make it better. This [photoshoot] feels crowded and there’s five people in this huge room!

“The real problem is that people say, ‘I’m not voting in general because my neighbor is voting.’ But if a thousand people said that they aren’t going to vote because someone else will do it, then you get zero votes! It sounds cliché, but each individual vote is important. I haven’t always been political, but I’m making the conscious effort to get more involved.

“As this is the Thought Leaders issue of V [Magazine], I’ve been thinking about how my own Thought Leader is my mom. During the pandemic I moved in with her, so I’ve been getting daily updates about the election. It’s easy for a clown like me to get caught up with all of the other things going on. But you have to remember that it’s the trickle down theory, and that even if it doesn’t seem important, at the end of the day it will affect you.” OM 47

LADY BUNNY NYC DRAG SUPERSTAR

“I believe at a New York local election years ago, I went into the booth and did something wrong. My vote was not registered correctly. So make sure you know what you are doing. When I was younger, I would listen to people who were more politically astute and did what they told me to do. But I think we need to be a little more discerning now, even at local elections. There is so much at stake so please educate yourselves now. Get as much information as you can whether you are voting at the polls or mailing in a ballot. If you need to have a ballot postmarked by a certain time, don’t miss the deadline.

“This is not the U.S.A. that I was once young in, this is a U.S.A. of harder times.

Wages haven’t been properly increased for decades and the wealthiest have gotten wealthier. While voting once every four years is important, we’ve got a lot more to do than that. We cannot hope to address something like widespread police brutality against people of color, which has been going on for so many decades, just by swapping Biden for Trump. Swapping Biden for Trump is not going to magically reduce carbon emissions either. We have got to keep the 48

pressure on, even after the elections. We can’t just be satisfied that we’ve gotten rid of Trump. We’ve got to push whoever the winner is—if we want real change.

I think that the issues now affecting the youth and working Americans in general are dire. It’s important we demand what we want or we will get nothing.

“A lot of people dismiss celebrities’ political advice because they are welloff and don’t face the same struggles that working Americans do. I guess it’s up to celebrities who aren’t well-off to run our mouths! You know, I grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and they did not appreciate liberals or progressiveness at all—it was a very red state. One Sunday, we got to church and in response to a speech my father had given with the pastor, they painted a red swastika on the church front door. I mean, I kind of got used to it early on— knowing that there were consequences if you speak out. But at the same time, you are not being honest with yourself if you feel something strongly and don’t speak out. My humor is outrageous, my look is over the top, and my politics are in your face. That’s just the way I am.” CVG

LAURA DERN

ACTRESS

“I am personally voting this November because I feel it’s the most critical election of my lifetime, thus far. I am voting because I care about the home we need to save, Earth. I am voting to protect human rights, equal rights, gender rights, and the right to choose. I am voting because I believe in the office of the president as representative of the American people, and that role required empathy, noble leadership, and the respect of the office the individual holds. I look forward to voting in an individual who carries all of those qualities.

“I’m very excited about South Carolina’s race. I am very moved by Jaime Harrison’s commitment to ‘bringing the spirit of helping back.’ [I’m also] paying attention to several other races—Alyse Galvin in Alaska, Kathleen Williams in Montana; Jon Hoadley in Michigan, Pennsylvania where Eugene DePasquale is running for election and Representative Matt Cartwreight is running for re-election. And Florida, where Margaret Good is running for election and Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is running for re-election.

We are clearly facing the most dramatic moments of our climate crisis that

we were warned about. And while we see the extremes that are happening in places like Siberia, as well as my native California, I stay up at night knowing that the next four years will be saving our Mother Earth or not. “[For me], fighting for social justice is [nothing] but invigorating and impassioning. I don’t see it as fatigue. When I look in my own daughter’s face as a 15-year-old with her friends, so heartbroken that they don’t have the right to vote, it makes me excited to be alive and to know I can make a difference.

“I’ve been reading a lot of Eleanor Roosevelt’s deep and empathetic thoughts for the American people, and that’s truly keeping me going right now. [But in terms of self-care}, it comes with using one’s voice—feeling that you’ve done what you can, feeling you’ve made a difference, feeling aware, and feeling connected with your local and global community. As we are all walking together through a pandemic, all deeply affected in every part of our lives, it is moving to stay connected to people around the world right now, and that also provides self-care.” MR 49

LAURA HARRIER ACTRESS

“Our country is supposed to be founded on democracy and we are obviously at a point in history where we have lost sight of that. We currently have an administration in power that doesn’t view [voting] as a constitutional right.

We’re looking at so much voter suppression, people’s rights being taken away, especially that of minorities and people who are more liberal-minded. A lot of young people think that their vote doesn’t count and their vote doesn’t matter— that’s really not true. Young people can change the state of this election, for sure.

Every vote literally counts, especially if we are going to vote Trump out of office.

If it wasn’t important, they wouldn’t be trying to suppress our vote. That in itself says how important it is for us to vote. I’m part of two groups of people who have fought incredibly hard [for the right] to vote throughout history, Black people and women. I think for me to not vote would be a disservice to that history.

“It’s important to do your research before [you vote]. We all focus on the presidential election, but we need to be aware of our local and state level [elections] as well. Government officials like the district attorney are elected 50

through local elections. Mass incarceration is an issue that I really care about and the district attorney is someone who will directly affect how many people get prosecuted, how many Black people get put in prison for small crimes. I look at [elected officials like] Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and I’m super inspired. It’s refreshing to see an intelligent, young woman standing up to these politicians who have been in power for years and have only served their own interests.

“There is so much that needs to change, and police brutality is at the top of my mind. It’s hard seeing the countless murders of Black people at the hands of the police, and it’s disheartening that those crimes are rarely prosecuted.

I would like to see these [police officers] held accountable [for their actions]. I believe in everything that the BLM movement is fighting for, which is simply justice—something we shouldn’t even have to ask for. I’m hopeful that people will continue to rally together, making their voices heard to change this horrible thing that has been a part of the history of our country for centuries.” CVG Image from V126 Cover Story

LEYNA BLOOM

MODEL AND ACTRESS

“Just being my authentic self is a form of activism. So no matter where I’m at, the fact that I’m in that space is a form of activism. Marginalized people who were hidden figures in our society are now front and center where they belong, and where they should have been a long time ago. I was born in a world I didn’t fit in, so now we’re creating one where we all do.

“It’s important for me and other trans women to vote, because for so many years we have not been given the opportunity to just live and breathe. Right now, there are so many people that are looking at us, speaking about us, and saying Black Trans Lives Matter or Trans Lives Matter—and I think it’s imperative that we are front and center of it all. We need people in positions of power to speak about that. Those old school guys who have been in the core of power forever, we need to knock them down. We need to put people like me in a position of power, and we need to dismantle the whole system. It starts with voting, and the next step is making sure that every person stands up and does their part.

“I’ve been in the ballroom scene since I was 14 years old. The house that I was

in was called the House of Miyake-Mugler, and it was my first runway. That was a place where I could grow myself and develop a healthy competition between other people. Growing up in public spaces and public schools, I could not qualify for the sports teams, or be respected enough to be on the cheerleading squad.

Ballroom was where I could escape the cis world, come into our world, and create an imagination of fantasy. And it also brought healthy competition.

“The [movement] name has turned into Black Lives Matter, but I grew up knowing about [anti-racist slogans like] ‘Black Power’ and ‘Power to the People.’

When I do speak about Black Lives Matter I get really emotional, because I’ve been protesting for my human rights since I moved to New York when I was 17.

Now I’m heading into my early 30s, and to see so many people get that a-ha moment of, This is what’s right, this is what I stand for, and this is what I need to do. Seeing that is the greatest gift.” OM Leyna wears bodysuit Michael Kors Collection, bottom earrings Cartier 51

MARIAH CAREY MUSICIAN

“Voting is so important because it is one way to show up for ourselves and our communities. It’s an opportunity for us to honor our ancestors—those that were unable to vote because of racism and sexism—and elect people that we can hold accountable. I am so proud of the young people organizing, particularly Black people, who are leading this movement. Everything feels so hopeless, but when I see the organizing power and the people who are leading this movement, I am hopeful because this is the future of our world.

“One of the very reasons I wrote my memoir was to ‘emancipate’ my racial identity—it has been a source of misunderstanding and near-debilitating pain.

There was no ‘one way’ to talk about it. It’s very complex. It’s not just about Black and white—which isn’t ever just Black and white. For me, it’s also been about class and abandonment. Identity politics are so personal and so pervasive—it’s not just what you look like, it’s about how you’re able to—or unable to—move through the world. I grew up as an outsider, and yet there are so many people who are still looking for a space that will accept and honor them as they are.

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The amplification of the racial justice movement, with support from a mosaic of backgrounds and identities, has been long overdue.

“We’ve been socialized to believe that poverty is a personal failure rather than our systems failing us. My upbringing was unconventional, to say the least. We had little structure and little money, and little social support to feel grounded.

There are times I cannot believe I was a little girl who lived in shacks, who always felt unsafe, under-cared for, lonely, and perpetually scared. There is a villainization of those who have unmet needs, whether that is access to health care (including mental health care), financial aid, affordable housing, let alone the opportunity to laugh and find joy beyond work.

“In 2016, almost half of eligible voters didn’t vote. Each day since that election, we have lived with the consequences of that inaction. We need leadership that is ready to step up. We have to fight for each other and our shared futures.” OM Mariah wears top MICHAEL Michael Kors, earrings Cartier Makeup: Kristofer Buckle, hair: Serge Normant, manicure: Sunshine

MAXWELL MUSICIAN

“Things are completely unbearable. I don’t feel like everyone gets a fair shot at living the American Dream. There is an incredible amount of marginalization that occurs in ways that we don’t fully know or understand. As an African-American born in Brooklyn, [I used to think] New York was an example of anything is possible. Slowly, throughout the years, we’ve started to see that not everything is possible; some things are only possible for certain people. I’m voting and will continue to vote past the presidential elections to give others the chance that I was blessed enough to be given.

“As a young man, I can’t say that I believed in the system. I was so wrapped up in art and music and the beauty of it. But I’m starting to realize, with gerrymandering, the issues that occur when voting is [made] more difficult for certain people. It shouldn’t be difficult to register to vote. If you can join the army or pay taxes, you should be registered, so you can be a voice that can activate change in your life. You should do it not only for yourself, but for those who are coming before you and after you.

“Earlier this year, I was involved with the 100 Million Masks program. We donated masks to five boroughs. I wanted to flee New York but because this is my city, I couldn’t just leave. I had to find a way to help some of the hospitals in Queens, in Brooklyn, and people in the city. I did suffer a bit from survivor’s guilt because I was reading a lot about what was going on around the world. I’ve had lots of mental distress through watching friends lose jobs. I love making music and I’m still very excited about it, but I’ve never felt that it was as insignificant like I have this year. If we don’t do something to move the needle, it could get even worse. COVID-19 has given us a reason to really think about what matters.

“If I could pass one policy in America tomorrow, it would be for free education.

It’s through knowledge that I’ve been given the opportunities that I’ve had.

Knowing about classical music and understanding literature and Langston Hughes and Pablo Neruda. I was into these things because I was a nerd! But the ability to expose all people to ideas and stories would change the world.

Knowledge gives people an opportunity to see beyond.” OM 53

MEGAN RAPINOE PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYER

“I believe voting is part of a deep responsibility each of us have to make this country better. Every right and liberty [that] I enjoy has been voted into law. Now those of us who have those rights must [also] vote in the interest of others. The world I want to live in is not reflected in our government officials and that needs to change. This election is a choice between democracy or autocracy. There is no other reason I need to vote in November.

“I’ve been having discussions with George Gascón, who is running for District Attorney in Los Angeles, and ultimately endorsed his campaign. And as our nation continues to reckon with institutionalized racism, especially the impact of the criminal justice system, we need to focus on changing who is in power. It is never only about the presidency.

“These elected officials are often largely ignored and need to be held accountable [for their actions]. There are so many incredible people leading the way for us, who have been doing the work for many decades. Patrisse Cullors, Janaya Future Khan, Tarana Burke, Alicia Garza, and many other women and 54

gender-expansive thinkers have broadened my world view and my approach to fighting for true equality in this country.

“It feels like a never-ending onslaught on our democracy. [To watch] who is getting confirmed to lifetime appointments in the courts and the attack on our postal service are a couple [of issues] that definitely has me losing sleep. [Yet, I remain hopeful these days] because I have to—because my life, and so many other lives, depend on it. [Aside from this], I also take time to celebrate the little moments and victories. We are making progress, but we must continue.

“The fatigue will come, of course, and that is ok. We all need to prioritize selfcare, resting, and recharging. While some of us rest, some of us will have to work. But together, we [must] all continue to fight! We have to be committed to making the world a better place for all each and every day. From the simplest to the most complex of issues, there is always something each and every one of us can do [to foment positive change].” KP Megan wears top X Karla

PADMA LAKSHMI

TOP CHEF HOST AND AUTHOR

“I’m voting because I’m tired of this administration only representing wealthy white men. I’m voting to be a part of our democratic process. Voting holds our elected officials accountable and also gives us direct input into our government, letting us decide who represents us. It’s hard to stay hopeful and positive but I try to remember that, in our country’s history, we have had some horrible things happen, but we have also pulled through and improved. As bad as things are right now, I do think this moment can be a real wake-up call and a moment for true growth—if we use the events that have recently taken place as an example of what to guard our country against.

“So much of what’s going on now in our political landscape scares me. The rolling back of environmental protections, the difficulty in getting good, nonpoliticized women’s reproductive choices and health care in so many states, the nepotism and mismanagement of so many of our federal agencies and departments—such as Betsy DeVos, Secretary of Education, to name just one

example. We also have no public health protocol, which is why we are facing such a widespread pandemic.

“It’s easy to get fatigued when every day seemingly brings a new crisis or abuse of power. The thing that helps me shake off my exhaustion is to remember that many of the laws and policy choices made today will impact my daughter’s life and the lives of millions of children. We must exercise whatever power we have—if not for ourselves, then at least for the legacy we leave future generations. It’s important to take a break from the news for a couple days regularly so we can catch our breath. Our sanity is the most important because we can’t fight properly for what we believe in otherwise.

“Our government only has the power that we as American people give it. If we want to be better represented and leave the planet better than we found it for our children, we must make our voices heard, loudly and often. Voting in all elections is the first step.” SA 55

PAPERBOY PRINCE

CANDIDATE FOR U.S. CONGRESS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZER “Paperboy is all about spreading love to the people. Creating community and inspiring those who feel like they’re left out or they’ve been forgotten or outcast.

The political world is interested in keeping people asleep and disinterested.

People like me, wake the people up. We rally them; we get them excited. We educate them in a futuristic way, and that’s [the political world’s] biggest fear.

There’s been many times throughout history where people who do that are targeted, defamed, or attacked. That’s why the message for me is spreading love, helping others, and having fun. Because when you’re doing that, it inspires other people to do the same.

“I decided to run for office because people weren’t being represented by actual people that live their lives. Politicians were regulating businesses, despite never having run a business. They were regulating our schools, but their kids don’t go to public school. And they were regulating our streets, but they’re not in the streets. So for me as someone who is an entrepreneur, artist, activist, community member, futurist, and creative, I feel like my voice and our voices are 56

so important. Right now, the creatives’ voices aren’t being heard. It’s so many of the same type of people—the type that just wants to check boxes off on their resumé and run the world. And [they’re] not the type that really takes in life, appreciates family and community in a real way, and thinks outside the box.

“For me, fashion is a way to throw a wrench in the matrix. How you express yourself in fashion also relates to how you think—in the boardroom or in the streets or in the community. If you don’t limit your fashion, you won’t limit your thinking. I try to live with limitless fashion and consistently create things that challenge my thoughts of what I can wear and what other people accept.

“I’m voting because we gotta spread love. We gotta represent our community.

We gotta make sure our voices are heard because most of the time, a lot of us don’t actually get out and vote. With that and all the other work we’re doing in the streets, change is gonna happen.” OM Paperboy wears top Megan O’Cain, watches Pasha de Cartier, rings Cartier, all other jewelry his own

PATIA BORJA

CURATOR

“It’s important to vote because collectively our opinions make a difference. It’s a statement on what society is going through at the time and what society is fed up with. People are changing their ideas and realizing that what has been going on doesn’t work anymore, and that the system needs to change. I am voting because I have a mother who is an immigrant and a group of friends that include many Black trans people. I am most concerned about their safety and their rights.

“You have to vote selflessly. It’s not always about you; you have to consider that there are so many other people in the world. And when I think about those people, those are the people around me who don’t really look like me or live the same life as me. Those are the people who don’t have the privilege to voice how they feel, but I consider them and their influence a big part of society. I believe that ultimately it’s about the greater good and not just the needs of one specific person or group.

“Something I always think about is mass incarceration in America and the school to prison pipeline. It is disturbing how slavery and prison are so

interconnected...more than people even realize. It is disgusting how many Black people are incarcerated; it makes no sense. Regardless of what they are incarcerated for, it’s a disproportionate number, and I think that trickles down to everything we consume. This keeps me up at night, a lot of what’s happening right now is connected to colonization. Decades have passed but nothing has truly changed.

“If you want to use your platform to speak out, don’t be afraid; it’s what got me here today. Even if you have 10 followers, it’s still a platform. Information is meant to be shared, and as humans we don’t know everything. Social media is a great tool to disperse useful information but also keep one another informed on issues that may not affect us directly. I am a cis-gendered straight Black woman—if the marginalized communities around me can find the power to keep on pushing and fight for what they believe in, I can as well. We all can.” CVG Patia wears jacket Prada 57

PERFUME GENIUS MUSICIAN

“We have to get Donald Trump out of office, it’s crucial for everybody to vote.

It’s more crucial for certain people. You know, it’s about survival right now—it’s a matter of life and death for some. [Voting] is the bare minimum you can do, and it’s easy. The bottom line is that a lot of people in this country are unsafe under this current administration. We need to do everything in our power to try to make that statement not true. And one thing you can do right now is vote.

“I’m not an activist, I’m not even a political person, but I do know that people follow me, which means I have a platform. With that platform comes a responsibility to speak up. I think people are afraid of getting involved in politics but that’s a luxury fear. You don’t have to have all the answers, you can point to the people that do have them. If I read something that helps me be better informed on major issues, I’ll share it. If I come across someone that actually is an activist and is sharing important information, then I’m going to step [aside] and give them the space to educate.

“One organization that I’ve been working with a lot is Immigration Equality.

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Their mission and their goals are really important to me. They provide pro bono legal consultation and advice for asylum seekers. They also work with people from other countries that are LGBTQIA+, and HIV positive who are seeking asylum in America. Donald Trump is moving toward even more drastic asylum changes, basically abolishing asylum in general, so we need someone fighting for this. It has been really inspiring to watch their work and to watch people that truly care about the communities they work in. Just by being in touch with them I’m learning more, reading more, and finding other ways to get involved.

We just did a livestream [event] this weekend and a portion of all the proceeds went toward the organization. I also released a cover [song] and donated proceeds of that to their organization as well. I feel obligated in a way to do that, and especially for such an important cause. Everyone should have the right to live as they are. That should definitely just be a human right. There shouldn’t be an organization that is fighting for that, but there is...and I’m proud to help in whatever way I can.” CVG

PRECIOUS LEE

MODEL AND ACTRESS

“Some people think voting is a disposable luxury. And I think that is a huge part of the reason why we are in what we are in politically. It’s important to know as a Black woman, that voting is not up for debate. It’s not an option and If you don’t think it can get worse, then you seriously are delusional. It is very hard to believe wholeheartedly in so many of the systems that have been set up for us as Black people, because they have failed us over and over and over again.

They were literally made to suppress us; they were not made for us. We were not considered even an entire human in the constitution. Voting is our constitutional right and our divine right. Since the 1500s we’ve been fighting, and I think that we’ve been doing a fucking amazing job. If our ancestors and civil rights leaders did not do what was done, I wouldn’t be having this interview with you—let alone, be able to vote.

“I just did a very intense detox cleanse for 40 days. If I had not done that, I don’t know how I would have physically dealt with this year. I mean, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor…this stuff is taxing. Sometimes people really don’t

understand how physically taxing this is on Black people’s bodies and our minds.

“I do a lot of meditation: yoga, mudras, and chants. These things are in place for a reason. They are for us to keep our channels clear to hear the signal—and we can’t hear a signal if we’re being ballsy on Instagram. People sit and use social media and their apps, and it’s taking away your spiritual connection. This is the year of Capricorn, which means that things which are not sustainable are coming down. The placements of Pluto, Jupiter, and Saturn are in similar places to where they were during the Great Depression. Spiritual galactic [thinking] is how I connect so much.

“I gravitate toward the words of Black women that are unapologetically empowering. I encourage everyone to dive in, not just to the ones that we know, but it’s also important to explore present-day Black writers, artists, and photographers. I just think that Black women who are putting out creative work right now to expand—[must] find out, ‘How I can further a space for not just myself, but for the collective?’” OM 59

SAAD AMER FOUNDER OF PLUS 1 VOTE

“Voting is our power to fundamentally change the course of what is happening in this country. Every vote matters from a local level, all the way to the presidency.

Our turnout defines who represents us on every major issue. Voting is important because it allows you to make sure that you are represented in this system. One vote can determine the difference between having politicians in power who are out for their own self-interest, and having politicians who are genuinely trying to make a difference. What’s been so magical about creating Plus 1 Vote, is that it’s all about tapping into people and communities that you already know. I think that activism is as simple as starting conversations with the people around you.

“I draw the most inspiration from the young activists across this country who I’ve witnessed their futures robbed from them as a result of things like climate change. Also seeing their presence robbed from them as a result of gun violence, racism, sexism, homophobia, and coronavirus. The young people across this country banding together to mobilize, to march, to vote are the ones who are the moral compass of our society and ultimately have the ability to alter 60

the course of what is happening in this country. It is young people who are more in tune and more connected than anyone else with what’s happening. I look to my peers for inspiration of where we need to stand on a lot of these issues.

“Everybody has a platform, and we have to utilize whatever tools we have at our disposal to speak out on the causes that we care about. The only reason we’re paying attention to major issues that have been traditionally swept away and overlooked is because we have so many people using their own personal platforms to talk about these issues so that there is a demand to take action.

Now we’re right before the election, we really have an opportunity to take action and use our power.

“The work does not stop on November 3. There are policy platforms we need to push. There are voting rights we need to restore. For me, the work is and always has been where we can have the most impact for the communities that need the most representation. And that’s where we’ll be after November 3, fighting for every voice to be heard and for every vote to be counted.” CVG

SEAN FORD

ACTOR

“I think where our voting power can really be applied and felt is in local and congressional elections. If we devote a lot of our energy toward more local political agendas, it can be felt more immediately by people who need to be uplifted in our political system. If politicians aren’t afraid enough of us, things tend to stay the same. So, I think we need to engage in more direct action and confront politicians to their faces.

“I attended some protests with my friend Ty Mitchell, Joey Mills, and Angel Rivera, all of whom are adult performers, like myself. I find that a lot of adult performers have been some of the most outspoken people on this issue. To a degree, adult performance is sex work, which is a marginalized profession. It’s not the same as people who engage in sex work in more risky scenarios. But adult performers do experience the levers of power being used against them and discrimination in their industry, especially if they’re not white. A lot of them are showing solidarity with marginalized communities and workers of all stripes.

“I made a lot of friends at the protests in New York this year. But there are other

ways of engaging in direct action if you can’t find a protest to go to. Connect with your community; disrupt the machines of oppression; check on your friends and family. Redistribute wealth to mutual aid funds and groups working for radical change in your own community. I find that people tend to be very strong and I think people will keep fighting, no matter how rough things get. And people will continue to find ways of experiencing joy, which is one of the most revolutionary actions you can take: enjoying life in the face of this onslaught of oppression.

“I believe in down-ballot initiatives and getting progressives elected. That’s how I think we can maximize our gains. Everyone should read more Marxist theory and study revolutionary thinkers like Angela Davis. People said that abolishing slavery and segregation were out of the question at the time, but people did it. So we can abolish police. We can abolish prisons if we collectively decide to do that. I would encourage people to think bigger.” OM Sean wears vest Calvin Klein 61

TAYLOR SWIFT SINGER-SONGWRITER

“The change we need most is to elect a president who recognizes that people of color deserve to feel safe and represented, that women deserve the right to choose what happens to their bodies, and that the LGBTQIA+ community deserves to be acknowledged and included. Everyone deserves a government that takes global health risks seriously and puts the lives of its people first. The 62

only way we can begin to make things better is to choose leaders who are willing to face these issues and find ways to work through them.

“I will proudly vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in this year’s presidential election. Under their leadership, I believe America has a chance to start the healing process it so desperately needs.” MR

ZOSIA MAMET

ACTRESS

“I wish that I could say I’ve always been a super political person, but it’s more like I’ve heard the call of the wild and now there’s no choice. My husband has always been the one out of the two of us that reads every article and watches CNN—and Fox News, with their blatant lies! But he wants to know what the enemy is saying. After 2016, I started to feel the call. Then we got further and further into [Trump’s] first four years, and it continued to get worse. Even preCOVID the world started to feel like it was unraveling with all the fires in Australia and California; as if they were gearing up to something. And this year I was like, ‘Everyone and their grandma and their dogs get on board because truly we need every bit of help.’

“I think that the arts are often a place that we see the change we want to see in our society before it happens. Everything that has gone on in our world has made the industry that I work in take a really hard look at itself and change in a massive way. I definitely see a shift in what people are looking to create and how it’s being created. That’s something I was very lucky to experience on the very

front end of the movement: I was on [Girls] for six years, a show that was run by women, created by women, and directed almost entirely by women. Sometimes I read parts and I’m like, This character is a throw blanket! She looks pretty and serves no purpose! I don’t want to play a ‘furniture’ character...

“This country’s history is not perfect, whatsoever. You have many, many dark spots. But I think at the end of the day, this country was founded on an idea of escaping tyranny—of coming to this new place to create a system in which we all had our voices heard and have our opinions be counted. We’re still struggling with so much homophobia and xenophobia and anti-semitism, and I mean there are so, so many problems in this country that need to be addressed. If we’re gonna really change this country, we need to be informed about what’s happening on our state and local level. So it’s like, ‘Who’s your congressman, who’s your senator? Who’s on your school board?’ Those things matter, too.” OM Zosia wears jacket Calvin Klein, top (underneath) her own, bottom necklace Cartier, all other jewelry her own 63

LAST WORD

ATTENTION ATTENTION OUR WORLD AND OUR RIGHTS ON FIRE OUR WORLD IS MELTING WE ALL ARE IN THE SAME BOAT SO WE DO WHAT WE DO VOTE VOTE VOTE LET’S TURN OUR ENEMY INTO A FLOWER

BY GIVING EVERY HUMAN EQUAL POWER WE SHARE THE SAME COLOR IN OUR VEINS AND IN OUR BRAINS WE KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT RESPECT WOMEN’S RIGHTS LGBTQIA+ RIGHTS CHILDREN’S RIGHTS ANIMAL RIGHTS RESPECT YOUR MOTHER OUR PLANET SO THIS IS WHAT YOU DO VOTE VOTE VOTE BE FREE LIVE FREE USE YOUR MIND ERASE HATE AND LEAVE IT BEHIND ERASE THE BORDERS SAVE MANKIND MAKE SOME NOISE USE YOUR VOICE

VOTE!

BY INEZ AND VINOODH