On #TrueColorsDay, We Sent a Unified Message to Congress: “Don’t Leave Youth Experiencing Homelessness Out of the Response to COVID-19.”
Members of Congress Made Public Commitments to Protect LGBTQ Youth Experiencing Homelessness.
On April 29, 2020 folks across the world spoke out and took action online for #TrueColorsDay – a day of international advocacy around LGBTQ youth homelessness.
As COVID-19 continues to spread and affect all of our lives, LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness are left particularly vulnerable to the virus. With the Trump administration working to roll back a number of policies designed to protect the rights and safety of LGBTQ people and youth experiencing homelessness, it is ever more important that we act to protect them.
On #TrueColorsDay, thousands of us reached out to demand Congress provide resources and relief for youth experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our message was heard. Hundreds of elected officials across the United States posted messages of solidarity and made public commitments to protect LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness. United, our message reached an estimated 23 million people worldwide.
It’s not too late to take action! Click here to send a message to Congress >>
Zoom Livestream Inspires and Entertains
Cyndi Lauper, Trace Lysette, Dyllón Burnside, and the National Youth Forum on Homelessness made powerful appearances.
Our livestream guests are each doing unique things to create a more equitable world for LGBTQ youth. Topics of discussion included art as activism, resiliency, family, finding your voice, and more.
Check out a few clips below, and you can watch all the videos on Facebook! Thanks to everyone who tuned in and participated!
#TrueColorsDay Live with Cyndi Lauper
True Colors United co-founder Cyndi Lauper and Senior Program Officer Rivianna Hyatt talk artistry and activism, defending the most vulnerable to #COVID19, and adapting to the changes life throws at you.
Get involved at truecolorsday.org
#TrueColorsDay
Posted by True Colors United on Wednesday, April 29, 2020
#TrueColorsDay Live with Trace Lysette
Trace Lysette and Twiggy Pucci Garçon talk House & Ballroom, chosen family, and adjusting to life as an artist now that #COVID19 has changed so much.
Get involved at truecolorsday.org
#TrueColorsDay
Posted by True Colors United on Wednesday, April 29, 2020
#TrueColorsDay Live with Dyllón Burnside
Dyllón Burnside of POSE and Twiggy Pucci Garçon of True Colors United talk family, LGBTQ youth homelessness, and COVID-19 on #TrueColorsDay.
Get involved at truecolorsday.org.
Posted by True Colors United on Wednesday, April 29, 2020
#TrueColorsDay Closing Thoughts with Osimiri Sprowal and Twiggy Pucci Garçon
Osimiri Sprowal of the National Youth Forum on Homelessness performs a poem and Twiggy Pucci Garçon offers closing thoughts for #TrueColorsDay 2020.
Posted by True Colors United on Thursday, April 30, 2020
The Internet Rallies to Show Support for First Responders
…from artists like Panic! At the Disco and Idina Menzel to Members of Congress like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ayanna Pressley.
Amid the COVID-19, frontline workers and service provider staff are working selflessly to help youth experiencing homelessness get the support they need. While many of us stay home, millions of young people don’t have homes to go to – leaving them more vulnerable to the virus. Service providers are still working to change that. On #TrueColorsDay people across the world recognized and celebrated these brave individuals by sharing messages of gratitude online.
So many incredible artists spoke out on #TrueColorsDay, including: Panic! At the Disco, Idina Menzel, Duran Duran, Erasure, Jeff Tweedy, Chicago, Blondie, Cyndi Lauper (of course), and many more!
Thank you to all the inspiring elected officials who posted messages of solidarity. Your support sends a powerful message to young people and the dedicated people who serve them.
If you’re a service provider looking for support and guidance serving young people during the COVID-19 crisis, we have some resources for you that might help.
For #TrueColorsDay, I have a message for LGBTQ young people who are experiencing homelessness: pic.twitter.com/tS6JSdg81U
— Danica Roem (@pwcdanica) April 29, 2020
We stand with LGBTQ people and youth experiencing homelessness, homeless service providers, and frontline workers. You are appreciated, seen, and supported #TrueColorsDay pic.twitter.com/DWzSt7fXIW
— Funders Together (@funderstogether) April 29, 2020
Today's #TrueColorsDay let's hear it for the frontline workers and service providers out there supporting youth who are experiencing homelessness. Y'all make the world go round – thank you pic.twitter.com/EDLcxujMwB
— Panic! At The Disco (@PanicAtTheDisco) April 29, 2020
#TrueColorsDay I stand with #LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness in KY.
LGBTQ youth should never fear discrimination, especially during a global pandemic.
In the state legislature, we should always focus on equity and safety for all. https://t.co/WKAh912dWS@TrueColorsUnite pic.twitter.com/pf33pdRQsC
— Attica Scott (@atticascott4ky) April 29, 2020
Today is #TrueColorsDay, a day to raise awareness and take action to end LGBTQ youth homelessness. Up to 40% of youth experiencing homelessness are LGBTQ. I will continue to work to end youth homelessness so that all young people have a place to call home. pic.twitter.com/TUoIf5tVdL
— Lisa Bunker represents (@Lisa4Exeter) April 29, 2020
Thank you to the service providers and frontline staff working to serve youth experiencing homelessness during this pandemic.
Andy x#TrueColorsDay pic.twitter.com/WAs4RkbJpn
— Erasure (Official) (@erasureinfo) April 29, 2020