#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.
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.
#TrueColorsDay Flashbacks.
Resource Released: National Guidance on Emergency Homeless Services for Youth and Young Adults
A Guide to Leveraging Federal Emergency Solutions Grants.
2020 #TrueColorsDay Partners
360 Youth Services
A Way Home America
A Way Home Washington
AIDS Foundation of Chicago
Alder Health Services
ALSO Youth
Ambisextrous Apostate Podcast
Arbor Circle
Athlete Ally
Avenues for Youth
Beta Gamma Chi Fraternity, Incorporated
Birds & Bees
Black, Gifted & Whole Inc.
Brave Heart United, Inc.
Brooklyn Community Pride Center
Capital One
Catharsis on the Mall
CDS Family & Behavioral Health Services
Center for American Progress
Center for Housing and Health
Church Farm School
Cocoon House
Community Alliance for the Homeless - Memphis
Community Shelter Board
Compass House
Compass LGBTQ Community Center
Complete Body Gym
Corrine Drive Counseling Center
Covenant House Florida
Covenant House California
Covenant House Illinois
Covenant House International
Crisis & Counseling Centers
Daybreak Inc.
Doc Society
Doors of Change
Equality California
Equality North Carolina
Family Equality
Free Mom Hugs
Funders Together to End Homelessness
GLASS
GSA Network
Happy Hippie Foundation
HELP of Southern Nevada
Homeless Advocacy Project
Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center
Housing Alliance Delaware
Huckleberry Youth Programs
imaginePLUR
J bar J Youth Services
Jackson Street Youth Services
Jericho Project
KALEIDOSCOPE YOUTH CENTER INC
Kentucky Youth Law Project Inc.
Larkin Street Youth Services
Los Angeles LGBT Center
LOVEboldly
Mayor's Office of Workforce Development
Michelle Valdez Consulting
MODA Brush
Modern Military Association of America
My Friend's Place
National Alliance to End Homelessness
National Black Justice Coalition
National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE)
National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty
New Beginnings, Inc.
NewFest: New York's LGBTQ Film & Media Arts Organization
NLIHC
OutMemphis
OutNebraska
Pink Media
Point Source Youth
Pridelines
Project Community Connections, Inc.
Project Silk
Rising Stars LGBT+ Foundation
Safe Place for Youth
Salt Hotels
SELF, Inc.
SingleMoms Created4Change Advocacy and Empowerment Center
Star House
TAC
The Ally Coalition
The Center for Youth Services
The Mason County HOST Program
The Montrose Center
The National LGBTQ Task Force
The Theater Offensive
The Wayfarer Foundation
Thrive Youth Center
TIA's Place (Transitioning Into Adulthood
Va Home for Boys and Girls
Vermont Teddy Bear
Veterans Multi-Service Center
Visions and Pathways
Vita Nova, Inc
WeWork
Youth Advocates of Sitka
Youth and Family Alternatives, Inc. - RAP House
Youth Outlook
YouthBuild Louisville
Header photo credit: Rivianna Hyatt, True Colors United; Editing: Jha’asryel-Akquil Bishop, National Youth Forum on Homelessness.