Matt, 18, was born in Chicago and attended Bateman Elementary school, Thurgood Marshall Middle School and Lake View High School. After coming out to his parents, Matt pushed to form the Lake View Gay-Straight Alliance during his sophomore year, creating a safe environment for other LGBT students in Lake View. Three years ago, Matt attended his first Illinois Safe Schools Alliance meeting; since then, he has learned to reform ideas and organize them, which he puts forth to educate surrounding youth in the Chicagoland area. Matt plans to go to Northeastern Illinois University to further his education in psychology and social work, and to further help LGBT youths.
Did you know? While horseplaying with his friend Jordan, her chair accidentally went through a wall—but Matt stayed with her so that they both faced the music from her father.