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Adam Eli

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Adam Eli
Born
Adam Eli Werner

(1990-09-26) September 26, 1990 (age 36)
Westchester County, New York, United States
EducationUniversity of Southern California
OccupationsLGBTQ rights activist, author
Notable workThe New Queer Conscience (2020)

Adam Eli (born September 26, 1990) is an American LGBTQ activist and writer. His first book, The New Queer Conscience, was released in June 2020.

Career

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Eli is the founder of Voices4, a nonviolent direct action activist group committed to advancing global queer liberation.[1] It was originally launched to protest the anti-gay purges in Chechnya and has since created international chapters in London and Berlin.[2] He got his start in activism as a member of Gays Against Guns, ultimately managing their social media accounts.[3] Eli has a large following on Instagram and says social media is an important tool in his activism.[4]

Out magazine described Eli as "one of the most prominent young faces in a wave of contemporary activism not seen since ACT UP." He is known for his "signature pink yarmulke."[5] Before beginning in activism, Eli worked in real estate.[6]

In 2019, a video Eli posted went viral showing him being followed and harassed on the street in New York City.[7] “Stay in the closet [...] this is not Judaism!" the unidentified man can be seen yelling. The video has been viewed over a million times and was shared by Mayor Bill De Blasio, who wrote: "There's no place for hate in this city." Eli said he felt compelled to share the video of the confrontation as a reminder that the struggle for LGBTQ rights isn't over.[8][9]

Eli serves as the editor-in-chief of Gucci's queer zine, Chime Zine.[10][11] Chime for Change is a global campaign founded by Gucci in 2013 to convene, unite and strengthen voices speaking out for gender equality.[12]

In June 2020, he published his first book, The New Queer Conscience, a part of Penguin Teen's Pocket Change Collective series, which had also published books by Alok Vaid-Menon, Kimberly Drew, and Xiuhtezcatl Martinez.[13]

Recognition

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In 2018, Eli was recognized in Out magazine's annual Out100 list,[5] Logo TV's Logo30 list,[1] and Out magazine's "100 Most Eligible Bachelors" list.[14]

Personal life

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Eli came out as queer in 2009.[15] He credits his Judaism as "the impetus for [his] queer activism."[6][16] Eli applies the Jewish principle "Kol Yisreal arevim zeh bazeh," meaning "All Jews are responsible for each other," to his ideology towards his LGBTQ activism, believing that, "queer people anywhere are responsible for queer people everywhere."[15]

References

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  1. 1 2 Logo (2018-06-28). Adam Eli: The Activist on LOGO30. Retrieved 2026-10-04 – via YouTube.
  2. ↑ Thomas, Chris (2018-04-27). "Voices4 Activists 'Are In This For Life' As They Fight For Queer Chechens". Out. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  3. ↑ Wheeler, André-Naquian (2018-01-25). "activist adam eli wants to protect queer people around the world". i-D. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  4. ↑ Jackson, Logan (June 27, 2017). "Getting To Know Adam Eli, An LGBTQ Activist Making Waves". Nylon. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  5. 1 2 "OUT100: 2018". Out. 2018-11-14. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  6. 1 2 Sparling, Tyler (2019). "New York World Pride Voices4". Moda Operandi. Retrieved 2021-02-28.
  7. ↑ Wong, Curtis M. (2019-09-10). "New York Man Accosts Gay Jewish Activist In Shocking Rant Caught On Tape". HuffPost. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  8. ↑ Eli, Adam [@aewerner] (September 9, 2019). "THREAD: Trigger Warning: violent speech, harassment. I got harassed, followed and threatened on the street today. Someone was upset that I was wearing a pink kippah, carrying a purse and had a pride patch sewn onto my jeans. I am sharing the encounter for three reasons" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ↑ "'You're Desecrating The Name Of God': Gay Jewish Man Says Stranger Harassed Him Over Pink Kippah". CBS New York. 2019-09-09. Retrieved 2026-10-04.
  10. ↑ "Gucci Just Launched a Queer Zine for Gender Equality". Out. 2019-02-07. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  11. ↑ "Adam Eli on Gucci's Latest Chime for Change Zine". AnOther. 2020-10-26. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  12. ↑ Cuby, Michael (14 October 2019). "Gucci's New Chime Zine Fights for Global Gender Equality". them. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  13. ↑ "Pocket Change Collective". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  14. ↑ "The 100 Most Eligible Bachelors: 2018". Out. 2018-02-14. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  15. 1 2 Mellors, Coco (2022-10-20). "Adam Eli's Great Awakening". W Magazine. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  16. ↑ Masters, Jeffrey (2020-12-15). "Adam Eli: How Social Media Is Changing Activism — For the Better". Advocate. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
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