#TrueColorsDay | April 27, 2022

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and questioning (LGBTIQ) young people are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than non-LGBTIQ youth. We believe that everyone deserves a safe place to call home – regardless of their class, race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.

#TrueColorsDay is an international day of advocacy around preventing and ending LGBTIQ youth homelessness. It’s also a day to celebrate people who are working to ensure LGBTIQ people have housing no matter the challenge. Across the world, young people and adult partners are making significant progress to end youth homelessness. Communities are mobilizing to create change and youth are leading powerful movements based on LGBTIQ and racial equity. #TrueColorsDay serves as a gateway for people to get involved in new ways.

Housing is a Human Right.

While incredible progress on LGBTIQ rights has been made across the world, LGBTIQ people still face discrimination and violence simply for being who they are. And as the COVID-19 crisis continues, LGBTIQ youth experiencing homelessness are particularly vulnerable. Sometimes, the simple protection of home is all it takes for a young person to be safe.

On #TrueColorsDay, we will speak out in a unified voice and take coordinated action to defend the human rights of LGBTIQ youth experiencing homelessness.

Here's what we believe:

  • Housing is a human right.
  • Everyone deserves a safe place to call home – regardless of their class, race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.
  • LGBTIQ youth should never have to fear discrimination or violence in seeking housing or services.
  • To end homelessness, we must end systemic racism in housing, healthcare, and policing – which contribute to higher rates of homelessness for Black, Brown, and Indigenous youth.
  • Immigrants and asylum-seekers – many of whom are LGBTIQ and fleeing persecution – deserve a safe home.
  • Relief and resources for youth experiencing homelessness must be included in COVID-19 responses.
  • Young people are the present and future leaders of the youth homelessness movement. Nonprofit organizations should support and facilitate youth activism.

If you agree, show your solidarity online:

TWEET ABOUT #TRUECOLORSDAY

Who's Behind It?

Co-founded by Cyndi Lauper in 2008, True Colors United works to end youth homelessness by generating solutions that meet the unique needs of LGBTIQ young people. Our philosophy is that if we can ensure that services are safe for and affirming of the most impacted young people, we can be confident that they’ll be safe and affirming for everyone.