Gender Justice Leadership Programs

Gender Justice Leadership Programs (GJLP) include a multi-dimensional, media-based strategy to center and uplift the power, leadership, and truth of trans and nonbinary young people. Launched in January 2020, GJLP builds on the work of our first trans youth-centered initiative, the TRUTH Program, in collaboration with the Transgender Law Center.

GJLP aims to transform the GSA movement, as well as the wider LGBTQ movement, into an effort that centers trans and nonbinary youth of color.

This initiative embraces 3 bold approaches to trans youth liberation work:

  1. Direct youth organizing. GJLP will continue to support the TRUTH Program and cultural activism through art. 
  2. Organizational support. GJLP will offer technical assistance for partner LGBTQ+ organizations.
  3. Interconnected movement building. GJLP will include new trans and nonbinary youth-centered programming to connect with the larger community.

New Campaign Campaigns

  • Show Up for Trans People and Against the Memo
    As young transgender and non-binary people, we #WontBeErased. The work of generations before us, from Stonewall and before, have set the foundation for organizers to continue to fight (and to win) the equity and justice our community needs to survive. We will continue to build the resources our people need and we will never silence #OurTransTRUTH. Our stories will guide the work. We call on our community and those allied with our movement to show up. Research and understand what this memo could mean and then fight against it with everything you can. Gather and spread resources to support trans folks, from housing opportunities, job/gig openings, to mental and physical health support. Donate and support our GoFundMe’s. Hold our communities accountable to respecting and valuing the lives of the trans people who exist with us. Sign on to our petition in solidarity with transgender, nonbinary, and/or GNC youth to commit to show up for us by supporting the trans community and taking action against transphobia. Share this petition to educate others on the affects of this memo on trans youth and uplift our response. While the government has been clear about their lack of commitment to the lives of queer and trans people, especially poor Black/brown queer/trans young people, we know we are on the right side of history and we will never stop fighting. Existing as queer and trans youth is getting more difficult every day. If you feel that you are unsafe or in need of support, please take a look at the attached resources and reach out as you feel able. You are not alone. If you are in need or support/resources or in crisis, here are some orgs ready to help: TRUTH Council Trans Lifeline Trevor Project (call, text, chat) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline ____________________________________________________ Signed, National Trans Youth (TRUTH) Council
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  • Show up for TLGBQ+ young people, now!
    We address these demands to every person within the K-12 education system, from Betsy DeVos to the local school teachers, because we ALL hold a responsibility to shift the narrative and transform our schools. Any student who is pushed out of schools into jails or death is one student too many. As young organizers, we understand our needs and voices to often be the afterthought of adults and educators. Commonly, our narratives are ignored until it is too late. Ageism encourages middle-aged people (usually our guardians and educators) to assume that young people do not have the potential to move agendas and make change. We are here, today, making it clear: our truths will lead the way. Show up for TLGBQ+ youth. Now.
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  • Sign onto the National Trans Youth Council's Nine Point Platform
    We cannot break the chains that bind us if we do not strive for a world without the very systems that put them on our wrists. We cannot work alone towards this goal either, because no one struggles alone; the white, heterosexual and cisgender patriarchy harms all us. When LGBTQ+ youth come together, when the most marginalized of us are uplifted, and when those more privileged acknowledge and use it for the fight, our community has a voice that will not be silenced and the power to create a just world for all.
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