Jace Rollins (he/him)

Jace Rollins is a passionate advocate for LGBTQIA youth and a College Ambassador for Equality Utah, where he works to foster understanding and inclusion across Utah. He is also a sociology student at Utah Valley University, with a minor in writing studies, focusing on community building, civic dialogue, and digital communication. Alongside his academic pursuits, Jace works part-time in property and office management, blending practical experience with his passion for connecting with others.

As a transgender man who grew up and served a mission within the LDS Church, Jace has firsthand experience navigating the complexities of faith, family, and identity. Though he ultimately stepped away from the Church, he maintains a deep respect for it and for those still seeking to reconcile their spiritual and personal journeys. This unique perspective allows Jace to provide a safe and empathetic space for youth who are trying to balance their religious and queer identities.

Through his role at Equality Utah, Jace has gained hands-on advocacy experience, organizing outreach events, speaking at legislative hearings, and promoting respectful dialogue during politically charged times. His academic work explores how we can build bridges across divides, making his contributions to the Belong community especially meaningful. As a youth counselor, Jace brings lived experience, strategic communication skills, and a deep sense of empathy, showing up to help participants feel seen, valued, and connected.

Jace hopes that every participant will walk away from this experience feeling empowered to claim their own story, knowing they don’t have to abandon their faith to embrace their queerness—or vice versa. He wants youth to understand that their identity is a strength, their spirituality is their own, and their future is limitless.

In his day-to-day life, Jace draws inspiration from the beauty of small connections and the belief that even the simplest conversations can spark big change. He describes himself as a “frequency and energy kind of person,” often turning to music to conceptualize his visions for the future. A longtime fan of synthwave, indie rock, and dream pop, he credits songs like “Drift” by Hotel Pools with helping him stay grounded and inspired.

Outside of work and advocacy, Jace loves writing poetry and research papers, exploring astrology charts, working out, and spending time with his pets, Charlie the dog and Emily the cat. Family is a central part of his life—his parents and siblings are his best friends, and they can often be found planning thrift runs or creating vision boards together.

Jace’s values—authenticity, communication, and compassion—guide everything he does. He believes that safe and affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ youth begin with people who are willing to hold complexity and create room for both challenges and celebrations. His vision is a world where LGBTQIA individuals don’t have to choose between belonging and being themselves.

And here’s a fun fact: Jace was born on Valentine’s Day with a heart-shaped birthmark over his chest, leading him to joke that he’s Cupid reincarnated. It’s just one more reminder of the love and connection he brings to everything he does.