Southbay Magazine · Feb / Mar 2026
Opening Doors — Cover story
Jonah Segil.
Researcher, advocate,
community builder.
I'm a 17-year-old senior at Mira Costa High School working at the intersection of public health research, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and youth-led community organizing. I co-author peer-reviewed research, raise funding for the work I care about, and build spaces where young people belong.
Fig. 01 — Cover story, Southbay Magazine, Feb / Mar 2026.
Next up · U.S. CongressDec 1, 2026 · Washington, D.C.
Where is Jonah speaking next?
Jonah has been invited to speak at the U.S. Capitol on December 1, 2026 for a World AIDS Day congressional briefing hosted by the Congressional AIDS & Equality Caucuses and AIDS United, alongside leading activists, researchers, and policymakers.
He will share his story of queer teen advocacy and how private citizens have stepped up to fill the gap left by cuts in government research grants. With representatives from AIDS United and UCLA's Center for LGBTQ+ Advocacy, Research & Health, he will help educate members of Congress and their staffs so that research funding can be a top legislative priority after the November midterm elections.
01Featured in / Recognized by
The Lancet Infectious Diseases
First-authored correspondence with Dr. Mimiaga · 2026
Southbay Magazine
Cover story · Feb / Mar 2026
UCLA Fielding School of Public Health
Annual magazine feature · 2026
The Beach Reporter
Front-page Queer Prom coverage · June 2026
U.S. House of Representatives
Congressional Recognition · Ted Lieu · 2026
City of Manhattan Beach
Certificate of Recognition · Mayor & City Council · 2026
UCLA C-LARAH
Meritorious LGBTQ+ Service Award · 2026
University of Rochester
Frederick Douglass & Susan B. Anthony Award · 2026
02Research & Publications
Research work on LGBTQ+ health, HIV, and substance-use interventions.
As a part-time intern with the UCLA Center for LGBTQ+ Advocacy, Research & Health (C-LARAH), I co-author research on the health and well-being of sexual and gender minorities, and lead a first-authored study currently in progress.
See all publications →- 01 · 2026First-authored correspondence with Dr. Matthew Mimiaga on LGBTQ+ healthLead author · The Lancet Infectious Diseases
- 02 · 2026Behavioral intervention increases stimulant-free days and reduces HIV risk among MSM (Project IMPACT)Co-author · Oral abstract, 26th International AIDS Conference, Rio de Janeiro
- 03 · 2026HIV risk, trauma, and substance use after the 2025 Los Angeles firesCo-author & presenter · Poster, 1st Annual LA Fires Research Conference, UCLA
03Advocacy & Community Building
Showing up for the people the system overlooks.
Three projects, one through-line: when a community is being under-funded, excluded, or unprotected, organize the response.
Read the full stories →- 01 · PhilanthropyStepping in to close the funding gap
When federal cuts threatened the UCLA Center for LGBTQ+ Advocacy, Research & Health, I co-launched a fundraising initiative that raised over $185,000 (and counting) to keep critical research alive.
See the live total and donate → - 02 · CommunityCreating spaces where students belong
Founded and produced the first-ever Queer Prom in the South Bay of Los Angeles. This is an all-ages, judgment-free night built for LGBTQ+ students who deserve a prom that feels like theirs.
- 03 · Civic actionStanding up for those who can't
Organized a school walkout in protest of unlawful ICE detentions, turning student concern into collective action and visibility.
04Press & Recognition
UCLA Fielding School of Public Health Magazine · 2026
Transformative Investments: Stepping Up — Join Jonah campaign
The Beach Reporter · June 4, 2026
South Bay's first Queer Prom — Front page
05Get in touch
Hear Jonah speak on faith, identity, and inclusion.
Jonah shared his coming-out journey, his advocacy work, and a call for houses of worship to welcome LGBTQ+ people without using religion to justify exclusion.
Jonah speaking at a local church, 2026.