The Pennsylvania Youth Congress Established

PA's First Statewide LGBT Youth Organization, PSEC, to become PYC

HARRISBURG, Pa. May 18, 2015 — The Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition (PSEC), Pennsylvania's first and only youth-led statewide LGBT advocacy organization, is announcing today that it is changing its name to the Pennsylvania Youth Congress (PYC) and refocusing its mission on statewide policy work:

The Pennsylvania Youth Congress advances freedom and justice for young LGBTQ Pennsylvanians through advocating for responsible public policy. As a youth-led organization, PYC represents citizens working toward safer schools and thriving communities across the commonwealth.

"Young Pennsylvanians are eager to lead," said Jason Landau Goodman, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Youth Congress."Since our movement formed five years ago, we've supported LGBT youth in our communities fighting for change on every level, from healthcare reform to the simple right to form a GSA at their school. Our renewed goal is to support young LGBT Pennsylvanians while leading efforts to design and implement meaningful public policy through the General Assembly."

PYC will continue on as Pennsylvania's statewide LGBT youth advocacy organization, and remains the only entirely youth-led statewide LGBT advocacy organization in the nation. The new name better represents the strength of LGBT youth to advocate for themselves in government, and reflects an organizational pivot to focus more closely on advancing change through legislation and policy. Concurrent with the new name, PYC has revised its brand, including a new logo and website, designed to convey the organization's values and strategic direction.

"Young people have the power to define our own future," emphasized Jason."We are currently a leading organization in Harrisburg on anti-bullying measures, and we are capitalizing on that momentum to ensure that all of Pennsylvania's youth feel empowered at home, at school, at work, and through their government."

The Pennsylvania Youth Congress will continue to offer resources and support to LGBT youth organizations in high schools, colleges, and communities. PYC will work closely with legislators in Harrisburg and youth leaders throughout the state to secure safer school policies and protections for LGBT youth in their communities, including those in the foster care, poverty, and the juvenile justice system.

With this transition, PYC is thrilled to announce the appointment of its Deputy Director, Turner Stulting. Turner is a rising senior at Bucknell University in Lewisburg. Having served in key leadership capacities with the organization since 2013, Turner was recently selected for the 2015 Trans 100, a list of the 100 most influential and powerful transgender leaders in the United States.<