Queer media veteran David Artavia has been named executive editor of national LGBTQ youth arts initiative The Future Perfect Project.
Founded in 2017 by Ryan Amador and Celeste Lecesne, writer of Oscar-winning short film “Trevor” and co-founder of The Trevor Project, The Future Perfect Project works to ensure that every LGBTQIA+ young person feels safe, seen and celebrated in their community by providing creative programming in podcasting, music, writing and performance, alongside professional artistic membership.
“Creative expression is one of the most powerful ways young people make sense of themselves and the world around them,” Artavia said in a statement Wednesday. “At a time when LGBTQ+ youth are navigating increasing hostility and isolation, FPP is providing affirming creative spaces and meaningful mentorship that strengthens their resilience and sense of possibility. I’m honored to step into this role at such a pivotal moment of growth.”
Artavia’s career has included stints as editor-in-chief of legacy LGBTQ magazines The Advocate and Out. He most recently served as a senior reporter at Yahoo News.
At FPP, Artavia succeeds Amador, who will now transition into a new role as Director of Production, helping to support programming across the organization’s portfolio of youth-centered artistic initiatives.
FPP has experienced notable growth in recent years across its core programs. In 2025, its youth-developed podcast “I’m Feeling Queer Today” increased its audience by 193% and followers by 237%. According to Spotify, the show outperformed 88% of podcasts on the platform and generated more listener comments than 97% of comparable shows, reaching audiences in over 30 countries.
“When David came to us, I knew almost immediately that he was the person to take FPP into the next phase of its artistic life,” said Lescene, who serves as FPP’s Artistic Director. “He somehow managed to light up my entire brain and, at the same time, he illuminated for us a pathway forward. This is without a doubt a challenging moment for LGBTQ+ youth and for the organizations that serve them, but David’s track record as a champion of LGBTQ+ issues, his lifelong dedication to the arts, his joyous approach to even the hard things and his experience in the world of queer media made him the obvious choice for the job.”
For more on the organization, go to thefutureperfectproject.org.
