WASHINGTON, DC (March 30, 2020)—Beginning tomorrow, Transgender Day of Visibility, PFLAG invites allies, family, and friends of transgender kids (trans kids) to join a an uplifting social media campaign called #TransKids #SoFierce (pflagchapters.wpenginepowered.com/transkidssofierce/). This grassroots social media campaign is a way for families and allies to build up trans kids by sharing positive support while holding lawmakers accountable for anti-trans bills. 

“Before the nation’s focus on preventing the spread of COVID-19, we in the LGBTQ+ community had been tracking more than 200 dehumanizing and harmful state bills in 19 states. Many specifically target kids who are transgender,” said Diego M. Sanchez, APR, Director of Advocacy, Policy and Partnerships for PFLAG National. “PFLAG’s 400 chapters actively oppose these bills and lift up trans kids. Trans kids are the next fierce leaders, and it’s our role to make sure they get to realize that role.”

Supporting trans kids through social media on a variety of different platforms also establishes important protective factors for these youth. This is especially relevant during covid-19 quarantines and closures that have limited access to safe spaces for transgender youth. Studies by the Family Acceptance Project, the Williams Institute and others have demonstrated that when an LGBTQ+ youth has even one trusted adult they can turn to for support their risk of attempting suicide drops by more than 40%. And when parents accept their LGBTQ+ child for who they are, their risk of self-harming behaviors decreases by more than half. 

#TransKids #SoFierce is a positive way to be an ally by authentically showing support for trans kids and asking others to join, too. Early participants and supporters of #TransKids #SoFierce include songwriter Benjamin Scheuer, director T Cooper, and Samantha Williams of the song and video “I Am Samantha,” which debuts on Transgender Day of Visibility; actor Zach Barack of SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME; Zoey Luna, of the upcoming film THE CRAFT; the National Association of Social Workers, and Athlete Ally. 

Participation in #TransKids #SoFierce is voluntary. The campaign’s main hashtags to include in posts, video, photos, alt. text, etc. are: #TransKids #SoFierce @PFLAG #PFLAGProud and others tags to add include #ProtectTransKids #Transfolks #Transfolx #LGBTQ. To learn more, visit: http://pflagchapters.wpenginepowered.com/transkidssofierce/.

###

ABOUT PFLAG

PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies. With over 400 chapters and 200,000 members and supporters crossing multiple generations of families in major urban centers, small cities, and rural areas across America, PFLAG is committed to creating a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed. To learn more, visit pflagchapters.wpenginepowered.com, like us on Facebook (/pflag), or follow us on Twitter (@pflag) or Instagram.