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

After One Year, PennDOT Finalizes Gender-Neutral ‘X’ Markers!

After One Year, PennDOT Finalizes Gender-Neutral ‘X’ Markers!
July 23, 2020

Gender-neutral markers are now officially here for Pennsylvania driver’s licenses and photo ID cards! This is an important step toward inclusion and the greater safety of non-binary and gender expansive Pennsylvanians. Gender-neutral ‘X’ markers have been available from PennDOT since early August 2019. As of today, all the paperwork is […]

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50+ LGBTQ Organizations Across Pennsylvania Send Demand Letter to the Bloomsburg Fair; Governor Releases Statement

50+ LGBTQ Organizations Across Pennsylvania Send Demand Letter to the Bloomsburg Fair; Governor Releases Statement
July 22, 2020

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. — This afternoon over 50 LGBTQ community organizations throughout the commonwealth sent a demand letter to the Bloomsburg Fair. The correspondence is below. The Bloomsburg Fair hosted a vile transphobic act over the past weekend which has garnered statewide, national, and international media coverage. This county fair in north-central […]

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Pennsylvania Still Has 66 Racist Public School Mascots

Pennsylvania Still Has 66 Racist Public School Mascots
July 3, 2020

We recognize Pennsylvania as being the land of the Lenni-Lenape, Susquehannock, Shawnee, Erie, and Iroquois nations. Today and every day is the time to learn about, celebrate, and center Native communities. For nearly ten years, the Pennsylvania Youth Congress has been keeping meticulous records of school board policies as they […]

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