APRIL 29, 2020

RESOURCE KITwww.TrueColorsDay.org

What is #TrueColorsDay?Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than non-LGBTQ youth.

#TrueColorsDay is an international day of action and advocacy around LGBTQ youth homelessness. Across the world, young people in collaboration with adult partners are making significant progress to end youth homelessness. Communities are mobilizing to create change, people are getting involved in new ways, and youth are leading a powerful movement based on LGBTQ and racial equity.

At the same time, the Trump administration is currently working to roll back a number of policies designed to protect the rights and safety of LGBTQ people and youth experiencing homelessness. As the COVID-19 crisis continues to spread rapidly throughout the U.S., LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness are left particularly vulnerable by the Trump administration’s actions. On #True-ColorsDay, we will speak out in a unified voice and take coordinated action to defend the health and civil rights of LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness.

When will #TrueColorsDay take place?#TrueColorsDay will take place on Wednesday, April 29, 2020.

What happens on #TrueColorsDay?#TrueColorsDay is an opportunity to take united action toward ending LGBTQ youth homelessness. We’re stronger when we work together. Over the past six years, we’ve reached millions with a simple message: together we can end LGBTQ youth homelesness. #TrueColorsDay has educated and inspired millions across the globe each year.

Take Action.Tell Congress: “Don’t leave youth experiencing homelessness out of the federal response to COVID-19!”

This year, we’re asking folks to take their commitment a step further by taking direct action with us in support of policies and plans that protect LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness. Use our action center at TrueColorsDay.org to contact your Senators and Congressional representative asking that they include resources for youth experiencing homelessness in the federal response to COVID-19.

Post a “Thank You” Message.Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, frontline workers and service provider staff are working selflessly to help youth experiencing homelessness get the support they need. Help show your appreciation by creating your own “Thank You” message and sharing it online on #TrueColorsDay (Wednesday, April 29). If you’re a service provider currently reading this (surprise, we appreciate you!) consider thanking members of your team, or other folks who inspire and support you in this work.

• Create your “Thank You” 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 29 using the hashtag #TrueColorsDay. We want to flood the Internet with these messages to celebrate these amazing people and recognize the selfless work they do. Be sure to wait until April 29 for maximum impact!

Watch #TrueColorsDay Live!We’re going LIVE with Cyndi Lauper, Trace Lysette, and young leaders.

#TrueColorsDay is for everyone, but members of the True Colors United Action Team will be entered into a special drawing to receive an invitation to behind-the-scenes programming, including Zoom video hangouts with our co-founder Cyndi Lauper and actress Trace Lysette!

How do you join the True Colors United Action Team? Take action through our action center to be added to the Action Team roster and entered into the drawing.

We’ll also be livestreaming all our #TrueColorsDay content on Facebook Live throughout the day! Follow along on Facebook!

Help spread the word.Partners and participants are asked to promote #TrueColorsDay in their online communities leading up to and on Wednesday, April 29, 2020.

To make it easier on everyone, we’ve provided sample social media, email & blog content below:

Sample social media posts:#LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness are at high risk of #COVID19. We can’t leave them behind. Join us by speaking out on #TrueColorsDay (April 29). Take action now at truecolorsday.org.

Got 1 min to make a difference? Tell Congress: “Don’t leave youth experiencing homelessness out of the federal response to #COVID19!” Take action at truecolorsday.org #TrueColorsDay

Today is #TrueColorsDay. We’re taking action to defend the health and civil rights of LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness. Take action now: truecolorsday.org

Post a “Thank You” message!Here’s some sample copy to accompany your photo:Thank you to the service providers and frontline staff working to serve youth experiencing homelessness during this pandemic. #TrueColorsDay

Sample email & blog content:On Wednesday, April 29, 2020, we will come together (virtually) to take action to protect the health and rights of LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness.

[You/Your Organization] is proud to join True Colors United and people across the country for #TrueColorsDay – an international day of action and advocacy around LGBTQ youth homelessness. As the COVID-19 crisis spreads throughout the U.S. and the Trump administration takes steps to roll back protections for LGBTQ people and youth experiencing homelessness, our mission is more important than ever.

On #TrueColorsDay, we will speak out in a unified voice and take coordinated action to defend the health and civil rights of LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness.

Please join us by visiting truecolorsday.org.

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Sample talking points:LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness are at high risk of COVID-19.COVID-19 poses a threat to all people experiencing homelessness and housing instability. At the same time, the Trump administration is currently working to roll back a number of policies designed to protect the rights and safety of LGBTQ people and youth experiencing homelessness.

Tell Congress: “Don’t leave youth experiencing homelessness out of the federal response to COVID-19.”Contact your Senators and Congressional representative asking that they include resources for youth experiencing homelessness in the federal response to COVID-19. Gaps in relief endanger us all, and youth experiencing homelessness need individual housing options now for their health and safety, and for the health and safety of our communities.

LGBTQ youth have a 120% higher risk of homelessness.LGBTQ young people are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than non-LGBTQ youth. Right off the bat, these young people are presented with an uneven playing field. The True Colors Fund is working to level that field, so that LGBTQ youth are no more likely to experience homelessness than anyone else.

LGBTQ youth experience homelessness for unique reasons.Common reason LGBTQ youth experience homelessness include family rejection due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, aging out of the foster care system, poverty, and abuse in the home.

LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness have unique needs.LGBTQ youth experience homelessness at higher rates than non-LGBTQ youth and are more at-risk of violence and negative health outcomes while experiencing homelessness. LGBTQ youth also experience homelessness for longer periods of time than non-LGBTQ youth.

LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness often avoid getting help out of fear of discrimination. Many service providers want to help LGBTQ young people, but don’t have the knowledge or resources to do so effectively. By helping shelters and service providers become more LGBTQ-inclusive, we can help more young people get the support they need.

Wednesday, April 29 is #TrueColorsDayLGBTQ youth are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than their non-LGBTQ peers.

United, we can change that.

Get involved at www.TrueColorsDay.org