:Draft:Josh Helfgott
{{Short description|American TikToker}}
{{Draft topics|biography|society}}
{{AfC topic|blp}}
{{AfC submission|||ts=20250423203715|u=Polarmadewell|ns=118}}
{{AfC submission|t||ts=20250420062208|u=Polarmadewell|ns=118|demo=}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Josh Helfgott
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|06|20}}
| birth_place = Long Island, New York, U.S.
| occupation = Activist, content creator
| nationality = American
| years_active = 2020–present
| known_for = LGBTQ+ advocacy, "Gay News" TikTok series
| module = {{Infobox TikTok personality | embed = yes
| page = joshhelfgott
| followers = 5.9 million
| likes = 486 million
| module = {{Infobox Instagram personality | embed = yes
| page = joshhelfgott
| followers = 1 million
| stats_update = April 23, 2025
}}
}}
}}
Josh Helfgott (born June 20, 1989) is an American LGBTQ+ activist and digital content creator. He is best known for his TikTok series Gay News, which covers topics related to queer history, LGBTQ+ rights, and current events.
Early life
Helfgott was raised on Long Island, New York, by two mothers, a family structure he has publicly discussed.{{cite web |last=Mago |first=Karishhma |title=LGBTQ+ Influencer Josh Helfgott Shares His Experience on Growing Up With Two Mothers |url=https://www.netnewsledger.com/2020/07/01/lgbtq-influencer-josh-helfgott-shares-his-experience-on-growing-up-with-two-mothers/ |website=Net News Ledger |date=1 July 2020 |access-date=23 April 2025}} He has described being bullied during his youth and has cited these early experiences as shaping his later interest in advocacy.{{cite web |last=Kindelan |first=Katie |title=TikTok Star Josh Helfgott Reveals Bullied Past, Talks About Using Platform to Educate and Empower |url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/living/story/tiktok-star-josh-helfgott-reveals-bullied-past-talks-77193434 |website=Good Morning America |date=8 June 2021 |access-date=23 April 2025}}
Career
Helfgott began sharing videos on TikTok in 2020, using short-form content to explore LGBTQ+ topics through personal storytelling, historical commentary, and news updates.{{cite web |last=Rosenblatt |first=Kalhan |title=Britney Spears Fan Turns TikTok into a History Lesson |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/music/britney-spears-fan-josh-helfgott-rcna45160 |website=Today |date=20 September 2022 |access-date=23 April 2025}}
In 2022, he was profiled by The Washington Post in an article examining TikTok creators navigating digital fame and political messaging.{{cite news |last=Heilweil |first=Rebecca |title=The Rise of TikTok Creators, and the Harassment That Follows |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/interactive/2022/tiktok-viral-fame-harassment/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=19 October 2022 |access-date=23 April 2025}} That same year, The Advocate highlighted Helfgott for his efforts to mobilize LGBTQ+ voters during the U.S. midterm elections.{{cite web |last=Bernstein |first=Jacob |title=TikTok Phenom Josh Helfgott Energizes Queer Army for Election Day |url=https://www.advocate.com/election/2022/11/06/tiktok-phenom-josh-helfgott-energizes-queer-army-election-day |website=The Advocate |date=6 November 2022 |access-date=23 April 2025}}
In 2023, Helfgott was invited to the White House for its annual LGBTQ+ Pride Month celebration hosted by President Joe Biden.{{cite web |title=Biden Marks LGBTQ+ Pride Month With Celebration on South Lawn |url=https://www.eldoradonews.com/news/2023/jun/11/biden-marks-lgbtq-pride-month-with-celebration-on/ |website=El Dorado News |date=11 June 2023 |access-date=23 April 2025}} His participation was cited as part of the growing presence of social media creators in civic and political spaces.{{cite web |last=Gershkovich |first=Evan |title=DNC Influencers Battle Journalists for Access |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/dnc-influencers-battle-journalists-space-access-2024-08-21/ |website=Reuters |date=21 August 2024 |access-date=23 April 2025}}
Recognition
Helfgott was named "Favorite TikToker" at the 2021 Queerty Awards, which honors LGBTQ+ figures in media and entertainment.{{cite web |title=Josh Helfgott Winner of Favorite TikToker |url=https://www.queerty.com/josh-helfgott-winner-of-favorite-tiktoker-20210306/ |website=Queerty |date=6 March 2021 |access-date=23 April 2025}} He was later nominated for Influencer of the Year at the 2022 PinkNews Awards.{{cite web |title=PinkNews Awards 2022 Nominations |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2022/09/22/pinknews-awards-2022-nominations-celebrities-influencers-politicians/ |website=PinkNews |date=22 September 2022 |access-date=23 April 2025}} In 2023, he was among the attendees at the 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards.{{cite web |title=32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards Recipients |url=https://glaad.org/releases/32nd-annual-glaad-media-awards-recipients-include-disclosure-schitts-creek-sam-smith-chika/ |website=GLAAD |date=9 April 2021 |access-date=23 April 2025}}
Personal life
Helfgott has spoken about his upbringing as the child of two mothers and his experiences with bullying, which shaped his interest in LGBTQ+ storytelling and advocacy. He has described his work as an effort to "turn shame into pride," particularly by highlighting underrepresented queer stories.
While maintaining an active social media presence, Helfgott often uses personal anecdotes and educational content to engage with a younger LGBTQ+ audience.