#TrueColorsDay | April 28, 2021
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.
Take the #TrueColorsDay Pledge.
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, add your name to the #TrueColorsDay pledge:
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.
Spread the Word.
Let's make some noise! Take the #TrueColorsDay pledge to get involved on April 28.
TAKE THE PLEDGEBecome a Partner Org.
This is a team effort! Our #TrueColorsDay partners are rockstars in the movement to end LGBTIQ youth homelessness.
PARTNER UPHere's What Happens on #TrueColorsDay.
We're going LIVE on #TrueColorsDay with artists, movement leaders, and more!
Homelessness looks different around the world. If we're going to achieve housing justice (which we are), we're going to have to do it together. On #TrueColorsDay, we'll explore creative ways people are working to end youth homelessness across the world.
Tune in at 12pm ET on April 28 for the #TrueColorsDay livestream!
- Twiggy Pucci Garçon (host); True Colors United
- Jha’asryel-Akquil Bishop; National Youth Forum on Homelessness
- Hannah Hussey; NY Legal Assistance Group
- Jawanza James Williams; VOCAL-NY
- Jakari Earl; 2020-21 True Colors Fellow
- Qing Jaila; Artist
Also happening on #TrueColorsDay:
9am ET: Report Launch - "Perceptions: Findings from Homelessness Service Providers & LGBTI Organizations about LGBTIQ Youth Homelessness"
"Perceptions," the new joint-report from True Colors United, ILGA Europe, and FEANTSA, is the culmination of two years of research which identifies the challenges frontline homeless and LGBTIQ services encounter when working with LGBTIQ youth at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness. Learn about what LGBTIQ homelessness looks like from a European perspective. Featuring our co-founder Cyndi Lauper!
4pm ET: SharpeHaus Mixtape Capsule Worldwide VIP Screening
SharpeHaus' Mixtape Capsule features three emerging artists who identify as womxn, POC and/or LGBTQ+, covering iconic tracks from the 1980s (Take On Me, Tainted Love and Time After Time) – a period of hope, imagination and inspiration. The diverse vocal artist line-up includes Amanda Kruger who identifies as non-binary, Reina Lam who is a Chinese-American woman and Grammy nominated R&B artist Qing Jaila who is a Black trans woman.
Create a "Housing is a Human Right" message.
When we say everyone deserves a safe place to call home, we mean everyone. Housing is a human right. As our world continues to navigate the Covid-19 pandemic, it is more apparent than ever before that housing is one of the most effective types of healthcare.
Now picture this: You wake up the morning of April 28 to find the Internet FLOODED with people of all walks of life and from all across the world – all posting one thing: “Housing is a Human Right.” United we can send a powerful message to governments and leaders that everyone deserves a safe home. No exceptions.
Show your support by creating your own “Housing is a Human Right” message and sharing it online on #TrueColorsDay (Wednesday, April 28). It’s simple:
- Create your “Housing is a Human Right” message. This could be a photo, a video, or simple text. Lean into your strengths and don’t be afraid to get creative!
- Post your message on April 28 using the hashtag #TrueColorsDay. We want to flood the Internet with our message. Be sure to wait until April 28 for maximum impact!
We put together some "Housing is a Human Right" signs to help you get started.
Resource Released: "Perceptions: Findings from Homelessness Service Providers & LGBTI Organizations About LGBTIQ Youth Homelessness"
A Look at LGBTQ Youth Homelessness in Europe.
2021 #TrueColorsDay Partners
360 Youth Services
AIDS Interfaith Residential Services, Inc.
Alaska Coalition on Housing and Homelessness
Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County
BALR.Life
Black, Gifted & Whole Inc.
Building Champions, Inc.
Camp Lightbulb
Clackamas County
Clare Housing
Clark County Social Service
COHHIO
Community Alliance for the Homeless - Memphis
Dance Fit with Emma Honerbaum
Doc Society
FEANTSA
Flaherty Consulting
For Chambers
Grayson County Juvenile Alt. Inc. and North Texas Youth Connection
Homeless Persons Representation Project
House of Blahnik, Inc.
Human Rights Campaign Foundation
Kaleidoscope Youth Center
KJB Homes, LLC
Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC)
Kohls
Lyre's Spirit Co.
Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance
Neiman Marcus Group
New Beginnings, Inc.
New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness
New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)
New York Red Bulls II
Northwest Compass
Oakland LGBTQ Center
Office of Homeless Youth @ WA Department of Commerce
Our Spot KC
Outfest
OUTMemphis
Ozone House
Pathfinders Milwaukee, Inc.
Poetry Socks
Projec+ No 1One%
Projects Watches
RAIN, Inc.
RAP House
Room In The Inn - Memphis
Shelter For The Spirit
SoHo Shakespeare Company
Technical Assistance Collaborative
The Bridge for Youth
The I Am Human Foundation
The OutCenter of Southwest Michigan
The Playthings Theatre of New York
The Street Fairy
Thrive Youth Center
Time Out Youth Center
TREE House Enterprise
Trinity Haven
TruEvolution, Inc.
United We Shine Justice Project
Valley AIDS Council
#TrueColorsDay Flashbacks.
Header photo credit: Rivianna Hyatt, True Colors United; Editing: Jha’asryel-Akquil Bishop, National Youth Forum on Homelessness.