Tyler Clementi Foundation Honors White House Advisor Reggie Greer with Upstander Award

On September 13, 2025, the Tyler Clementi Foundation presented its prestigious Upstander Award to Reggie Greer, a senior advisor at the White House, recognizing his exceptional contributions to advancing LGBTQ+ rights and promoting safe, affirming environments for queer youth nationwide . The ceremony, attended by community leaders, activists, and policymakers, underscored the ongoing necessity for visible and effective advocacy as legislative and social challenges to LGBTQ+ equality intensify across the country.

The Tyler Clementi Foundation was established in memory of Tyler Clementi, a Rutgers University student whose tragic death by suicide in 2010, following cyberbullying rooted in anti-gay harassment, became a catalyst for national conversations about bullying, mental health, and LGBTQ+ youth safety . The Upstander Award was created to honor those who transform pain into action, championing the values of empathy, intervention, and inclusion.

Reggie Greer’s selection as this year’s honoree was lauded by Foundation leadership for his steadfast dedication to public service and for leveraging his platform to advance anti-bullying efforts and policy protections for LGBTQ+ communities .

Greer, who serves as a senior advisor on LGBTQ+ engagement at the White House, has championed a broad range of initiatives to promote equality and address the complex challenges facing queer Americans. His tenure has been marked by efforts to bolster the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws, expand access to mental health resources, and ensure federal agencies adopt inclusive policies .

Accepting the award, Greer emphasized the critical importance of “standing up for those who are most vulnerable” and highlighted the urgent need to “build bridges between government, community organizations, and everyday Americans to confront hate and foster belonging” .

The recognition comes at a time when LGBTQ+ Americans face mounting legislative and societal threats. In 2025 alone, state legislatures across the United States have introduced or passed an unprecedented number of bills targeting LGBTQ+ rights, with a pronounced focus on restricting access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth and limiting discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools .

The award ceremony also highlighted the intersectional realities faced by LGBTQ+ youth—particularly those from communities of color, religious minorities, and rural areas—who often experience compounded discrimination and have less access to affirming resources . Studies continue to show that bullying, harassment, and stigma are closely correlated with increased risks of depression, anxiety, and suicide among queer youth .

The Tyler Clementi Foundation’s programs, such as #Day1 and the Upstander Pledge, aim to equip schools, workplaces, and families with tools to intervene effectively and foster cultures of respect and safety .

In his remarks, Greer urged attendees to move beyond symbolic gestures and to “organize, educate, and vote to protect the dignity and safety of every LGBTQ+ person” . He called for renewed vigilance in the face of “coordinated efforts to roll back progress,” and stressed that allyship—at the personal, institutional, and governmental levels—remains essential to countering hate and building inclusive futures.

The ceremony concluded with a renewed pledge from attendees to speak out against bullying and discrimination wherever it occurs. The Tyler Clementi Foundation’s leadership reiterated its commitment to partnering with policymakers, educators, and parents to ensure that no young person is left to navigate harassment or exclusion alone.