Hayden Cohen

Hayden Cohen is an activist, student, and dedicated advocate for youth visibility in policy making. Their journey in activism began in high school where they worked to improve sexual education curriculum and served as Gender-Sexuality Alliance president for three years.

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Now, Hayden is the State Policy Director for Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT), a movement of young people developing transferable skills and ensuring youth representation in policymaking. In this role, they’ve testified before Texas legislative committees and the State Board of Education, engaged directly with legislators, and empowered students to advocate for themselves. Their work has been instrumental in fighting censorship efforts and advancing policies that protect LGBTQ+ students and marginalized youth.

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Hayden is also a passionate advocate for voter registration and education, serving as a Deputy Voter Registrar and introducing a high school voter registration bill. Their dedication to activism has earned them national and local recognition, including being named GLAAD x Teen Vogue’s 20 Under 20 for 2024, OutSmart Magazine’s Most Prominent Youth Activist of 2024, and Houston Pride Grand Marshall for 2025. They are currently pursuing a degree in social work at University of Houston-Downtown and remain committed to building a more inclusive and equitable future for young people in Texas.