CASSANDRA

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TRANSGENDER VISIBILITY DAY

Honoring the trans community today (and every day)

At 1.9%, Gen Z has the highest percentage of people identifying as trans among all the previous three generations. But, despite progress in recognition of LGBTQ+ rights and identities, and, of course, TikTok opening up a new world for trans influencers such as Dylan Mulvaney and advocates to talk about their lives and share their stories, trans rights in America have become an increasingly divisive issue with a wave of anti-LGBTQ bills and legislation predominantly targeting transgender youth. So today, Transgender Day of Visibility, Cassandra joins others to celebrate the projects, people, and organizations who are making a difference while drawing attention to the discrimination, violence, and other systemic barriers the community faces.

Image of the It Gets Better Project logo in rainbow stripes

IT GETS BETTER PROJECT

The It Gets Better Project is a nonprofit organization on a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe through inspiring media programming, educational resources, international affiliates in 19 countries, and access to an arsenal of community-based service providers. For example, the 50 Grants in 50 States campaign is looking to fund Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Projects that uplift, empower and connect LGBTQ+ youth in schools in all 50 states by offering $10,000 grants with support from American Eagle and Aerie to schools looking to create an inclusive safe haven or further community support.

Text quote, “I’m transgender and know a large amount of cisgender people, and school and work have introduced me to a variety of people of different genders, ethnicities, economic status, and experiences.”

— Ari, 16, CO (Cassandra Collective)

    Image of Desmond Napoles' logo over a light gray background.

    DESMOND NAPOLES

    Fifteen-year-old Desmond Napoles - the designer behind Be Amazing NYC, a queer-owned inclusive clothing and accessories business, is now leaning further into the creativity they found as drag artist Desmond the Amazing by announcing their soon-to-be-released debut shoe collection to their 151K followers on Instagram. Desmond’s 2023 continues to look pretty busy as they plan to expand Haus of Amazing and the Haus of Amazing Jr - for LGBTQ and gender variant youth and their allies, along with the Haus of Darlings, which is a support group for parents, guardians, and educators, with community launches scheduled for later this year.

    Text quote, “I've recently started coming out to my family as transgender, and everyone who I've told has supported me.”

    — Oleander, 15, IN (Cassandra Collective)

      Image of the True Colors United logo

      TRUE COLORS UNITED

      Singer/songwriter Cindi Lauper co-founded True Colors United to combat homelessness amongst LGBTQ+ youth when touring several homeless shelters, and saw that many lacked resources and support services that catered to LGBTQ+ youth. The organization now provides educational training to promote diversity and inclusion and raise awareness of the issues LGBTQ+ youth face, especially homelessness and isolation. Since its inception, True Colors United has reached more than 2,239 people with its educational training programs.