The Pennsylvania Youth Congress ADVANCING FREEDOM AND JUSTICE FOR YOUNG LGBTQ+ PENNSYLVANIANS YOUTH VOICES Speaking Our Truth to Power CREATING A Vibrant Community of Young Leaders STEP INTO The Future of LGBTQ+ Activism

Who We Are

PYC unites young LGBTQ leaders from across the commonwealth within their schools and communities in order to create a responsive and organized statewide movement. Through connecting and empowering strong advocates, PYC helps ensure that the issues facing young LGBTQ Pennsylvanians are addressed in local and state government.
Young LGBTQ Pennsylvanians have varied urgent needs. Many LGBTQ youth experience violence and discrimination in their schools and communities. Through PYC, young leaders are able to advocate for effective policy solutions at the local and state levels. From city councils to school boards to the General Assembly, PYC champions issues in government.
PYC was founded in 2011 as a coalition of high school and college LGBTQ student organizations. Over 50 LGBTQ student groups have become members of PYC. These student organizations have direct access to leadership development, networking, and important advocacy opportunities. To find out more about becoming a member organization of PYC, <a href="https://payouthcongress.org/get-involved/member-organizations/">please click here</a>!
As an intersectional movement of young Pennsylvanians, PYC advocates for communities where all can thrive. PYC was created to ensure all marginalized LGBTQ youth have power in their communities. To that end we aim to center those most impacted by the harm being addressed and that they are directing the work. Together, PYC leaders envision a commonwealth that has no room for prejudice or discrimination - where all people can thrive regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or other identities.
Since 2011, PYC has organized dozens of statewide forums for young LGBTQ leaders, including the Pennsylvania Youth Action Conference (YAC), which has become the largest annual gathering of young LGBTQ advocates in the state. From retreats in the northern tier to regional convenings, PYC believes in the critical importance of organizing in-person gatherings.
PYC firmly believes that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but that they are also the leaders of today. By empowering and training each other with the skills necessary to successfully take on local and statewide community work, PYC is continually investing in generations of strong civic leaders. PYC alums have been hired for important staff positions at LGBTQ organizations and have even made history by being elected to local government.

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Pennsylvania News

PA House Votes to Approve LGBTQ Nondiscrimination Legislation

PA House Votes to Approve LGBTQ Nondiscrimination Legislation
May 2, 2023

HARRISBURG, Pa. — In a 102-98 vote this afternoon, the Pennsylvania House voted to advance HB 300, which is legislation that would provide nondiscrimination protections in employment, housing, and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. PYC manages the leading public support campaign backing the bill, Pennsylvania […]

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PA House Judiciary Committee Votes to Approve LGBTQ Nondiscrimination Legislation

PA House Judiciary Committee Votes to Approve LGBTQ Nondiscrimination Legislation
April 24, 2023

HARRISBURG, Pa. — This afternoon the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee voted to advance HB 300, which is legislation that would provide nondiscrimination protections in employment, housing, and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. PYC leaders were present for the vote and had helped organize LGBTQ […]

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General Assembly Adopts Bill to Remove “Homosexuality” from Crimes Code!

General Assembly Adopts Bill to Remove “Homosexuality” from Crimes Code!
July 8, 2022

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Today the Pennsylvania State Senate unanimously passed House Bill 2125 which will remove ‘homosexuality’ from the definition of prohibited sexual acts in the state’s Crimes Code. The bill now heads to Governor Wolf for his signature. The Pennsylvania Youth Congress has been proud to support Rep. Todd […]

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