Covering the Rock the Vote: Teen Vogue X TOMS event has been one of my most thrilling moments this year. Why? It was unexpectedly delightful and inspirational. It moved me to act, to care more, to save our democracy, to donate, to tweet, and to raise awareness about the impact of the midterms and how each of us – really can make a difference. I had this preconceived notion that this event, geared toward Teen Vogue’s Gen Z audience, a far cry from my hazy Generation X/ millennial cusp residency, wouldn’t be relatable to me. Thoughts of ill-conceived, potentially overheard conversations I’d succumbed to fill my head: From Cardi B’s/Nicki Minaj’s latest feud-y clap-backs to the best unicorn hair color dye brands on the market. Boy, was I proven wrong. I was surrounded by teens and girls in their early twenties who had founded nonprofits for trans youth in need and created grassroots organizations to get women elected. Young activists who launched crowdsourcing campaigns for victims of gun violence. These girls have powerful messages to convey: Get ready. We are changing the world!

Founded in 2003 by parent company Condé Nast, Teen Vogue still caters to fashion lovers, keeping up with the beauty and fashion trends; its sister magazine, Vogue, personifies the beacon of high fashion and beauty. These days, Teen Vogue, primarily a digital magazine, captures the attention and support of political and social activists. According to Alli Maloney, Teen Vogue’s news and politics feature editor: “We cover news as it happens. But we also cover things that we reframe in a new lens. We get pushback daily, with people telling us to stay in our lane, but our readers’ lane includes politics now. It’s a political world.” And on this night, the political world took center stage. New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was the guest speaker for the Rock the Vote discussion, moderated by Teen Vogue’s news and politics editor, Lucy Diavolo. Gillibrand, who began her political career in Congress in 2006, ran for an incumbent Republican seat, which she defeated, and in 2009 became Senator of New York State.

Gillibrand, whose seat is also up for re-election, didn’t shy away from audience questions on our failed political system under-serving Americans. She acknowledged that the system is broken and that young people, women, and people of color must take action to see themselves represented in the House and Senate. The work is tireless and essential to protecting people’s rights for adequate healthcare, education, and women’s reproductive rights. Gillibrand became the first member of Congress to post her official daily meetings and personal financial disclosures. Her push for transparency in politics led to the passing of the STOCK act, making it illegal for members of Congress, their families, and their staff to benefit from insider information gained through public service. Diavolo posed questions to Gillibrand on the minds of many Americans right now: What pressing issues will take precedence if Democrats take back the House and Senate? Is she running for president in 2020? What are some bipartisan solutions both parties can agree on and pursue – with gun reform regulation? And, of course, with Trump’s proposed agenda to erase Transgender rights, mainly affecting trans youth. I asked Lucy, as a transgendered journalist, her thoughts on the following:

DSMC: In a Teen Vogue article from October 24, wrote: “As I said in the speech I gave during the Hell No to the Memo rally on Sunday, October 21, believe voting alone is not enough right now. It is important to go beyond the polling booth and provide direct, material support to transgender people.” Can you elaborate on this statement? What do you mean by “material support?”

Lucy Diavolo: In terms of providing material support to transgender people, I think there are several options. As I wrote in the 22nd article, it can be as simple as just checking in on your trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming friends with a kind word, calling a congressperson, or educating your family and friends. In terms of material support, simple things like donating directly to a trans person, taking the time to make a trans friend a meal, helping them cook or clean, giving them a place to crash if they don’t have one, or weighing in on a job application can all be straightforward ways to do so.

DSMC: Should the proposed Trump bill reversing Obama-era protections for LGBTQ citizens be instated, what can the LGTBQ community and their supporters do to fight back?

Lucy Diavolo: If you’re talking about the transgender HHS memo, absolutely not. Under Obama, the LGBTQ community saw serious progress made at the federal level for the first time in history — it’s a low bar, but Obama (like many Democrats) changing his tune on marriage equality and standing up for trans kids in schools was unprecedented. Many of us believed a Trump presidency would undo much of that progress, and the HHS memo was the latest horrifying proof that the current administration is actively engaged in looking for ways to strip our community’s fundamental human rights.

Lucy Diavolo: Whether you’re a binary trans person, a non-binary trans person, or experiencing your gender in other ways, know that you’re valid. Being young and trans (or any kind of queer) in a hostile environment can be very challenging. I know because I was outed as bisexual in the 8th grade and spent most of high school suffering for it. My best advice for a young person in a situation like that is to look for a community where you can. It can be online, with many great community spaces for learning and having conversations. Or it can be in the other folks who might be struggling at your school, who can commiserate with you over your situation, even when no one else is listening. A sense of community has made even the most difficult, painful, and ugly parts of my transition feel safe and supported.

If you find yourself in a truly untenable situation, know that, in many cities, there are people, social services, and communities that will support you. Young LGBTQ people have been running to the cities for decades, and in many places, there are not only organizations working to serve them but entire populations of older LGBTQ folks who want to support them. Look for those organizations and people in online spaces if you have to get away from wherever you are.

Apart from curating news and politics for Teen Vogue’s 5 million plus monthly visitors to the site, Diavolo helped founded the Transfeminine Alliance of Chicago and plays bass in the Chicago-based band The Just Luckies.

Rock the Vote event host and Teen Vogue advocate TOMS opened their new store/café with an outside patio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. DSMC asked TOMS’ Director of Global Brand Marketing, Kate Faith, to discuss the successful and impactful collaboration between Teen Vogue and TOMS.

DSMC: TOMS has partnered with Teen Vogue, including the recent Teen Vogue Summit in Austin last month. What makes this partnership so special?

Kate Faith: Our partnership with Teen Vogue started last year with the first-ever Teen Vogue Summit, where we hosted the opening day reception at TOMS HQ in Los Angeles. To continue this partnership, this year, we hosted meet-ups at our TOMS stores across America, including Chicago, Austin, Los Angeles, and finally, at our new store here in Brooklyn. Teen Vogue educates and inspires young people to take action, which is at the heart of what we’re doing here at TOMS. We both know that Gen Z has the power and courage to change the world. We support Teen Vogue as they rally the next generation to create a better world.

DSMC: With over 60 million pairs of shoes donated to children worldwide, what does TOMS hope to establish with the one-for-one model eyewear? Is eyewear as scarce as shoes around the world? Why this product line?

Kate Faith: Since our founding in 2006, TOMS has given over 80 million pairs of shoes to those in need abroad and in the United States. We’re very proud of that number, but we also recognize we can do more and have the opportunity to scale our impact beyond our shoe gives. TOMS launched eyewear in 2011 as we saw a need to help more people in a new way that would make a massive difference in their lives. During Blake’s travels, he saw many kids who couldn’t see the chalkboard at school, so they would fall behind, and elderly people developed cataracts, which affected their work life and the livelihood of their families. Wanting to find a solution, he came up with TOMS eyewear – with every pair of sunglasses and optical glasses purchased, a person is provided an eye exam and treatment through prescription glasses, medical treatments, or sight-saving surgery. We have now provided sight to over 600,000 individuals around the world. I recently witnessed cataract surgery firsthand in India on a Giving Trip. It was incredibly moving to see people’s reactions when their bandages came off and they could see their loved ones – some for the first time! I’m proud to work at a company creating this level of impact worldwide.

DSMC: Does TOMS support/endorse certain politicians for the midterms?

Kate Faith: Our #1 objective is to inspire and educate young people about the importance of using their voice to create positive change. Voting is one (significant) avenue for people to address the issues they care about most, and we want to provide the tools for people to make informed decisions when heading to the polls. We don’t endorse specific politicians but hope elected officials support all individuals’ fundamental human rights. We are in this together and must create a world that works better for all of us. To learn more about TOMS global work and products, click here.

This event opened my eyes to a new group of passionate activists committed to making a difference in our nation. I had once solely perceived them as meme-creating, snap-chat, happy, simplistic youth consumed with finding the perfect selfie. Sure, they may engage in these activities in their downtime, as most of us have, but they are laser-focused on championing vital causes for their generation and ours.