New trans youth storytelling platform will connect voices and experiences across the U.S.

TRUTH launches ourtranstruth.org & opens applications 

(Oakland, CA - January 17, 2018) – Today, TRUTH, a youth-led program housed at Transgender Law Center and GSA Network, launched a new website to build trans youth power through online organizing and storytelling. The website features an interactive storytelling guide and advice from other young people who have been thrust into the spotlight; a gallery of stories that youth visiting the site can contribute to; resources created by and for trans youth; and support for allies and families of trans youth.

"In this moment of intense violence, trans youth need to know that we are not alone," said Juniperangelica Cordova, Senior Organizer for the TRUTH Program. "The new TRUTH website offers a central platform for young trans folks to connect, build community, and fight back against attack. Working with other youth leaders of TRUTH these past three years has shown me what resilience through struggle means as a young transgender person, and we want all trans youth to be able to experience that."

First launched in 2015 by Transgender Law Center and GSA Network, TRUTH began as a national storytelling campaign aiming to build empathy, understanding, and a movement for transgender and gender non-conforming youth and their families to share their stories in their own words and in their own way.

TRUTH has released videos of trans youth and their families sharing their stories of acceptance, love, and support; hosted leadership development workshops; and run several online organizing campaigns for trans youth to challenge media narratives. These included the viral #MyTransBodyIs campaign in which hundreds of youth took to social media to share messages to self-define their bodies. TRUTH is led by a council of trans young people from across the country.

Learn more about TRUTH here: https://ourtranstruth.org. 

TRUTH will also accept online applications for new youth council members interested in leading the project. Youth can apply to the TRUTH council here: https://ourtranstruth.org/apply.

Transgender Law Center (TLC) is the largest national trans-led organization advocating self-determination for all people. Grounded in legal expertise and committed to racial justice, TLC employs a variety of community-driven strategies to keep transgender and gender nonconforming people alive, thriving, and fighting for liberation. transgenderlawcenter.org

Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network (GSA Network) is a next-generation LGBTQ racial and gender justice organization that empowers and trains trans, queer, and allied youth leaders to advocate, organize, and mobilize an intersectional movement for safer schools and healthier communities. In California, GSA Network connects over 1,000 GSA clubs through regional summits and youth councils. Nationally, GSA Network leads the National Association of GSA Networks and GSAs Unite, an online campaign and petition platform supporting youth organizers across the country