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.
01Featured in / Recognized by
The Lancet Infectious Diseases
First-authored commentary 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
Peer-reviewed 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 commentary with Dr. Matthew Mimiaga on LGBTQ+ healthLead author · The Lancet Infectious Diseases
- 02 · 2026Cost-effective stimulant-use intervention reduces use by 87% in high-risk populationsCo-author · Peer-reviewed
- 03 · 2026Behavioral intervention reduces HIV viral load by 74% in adolescentsCo-author · Peer-reviewed
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 $150,000 to keep critical research alive.
- 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.