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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

PYC Statement on the Skrmetti Decision

PYC Statement on the Skrmetti Decision
June 18, 2025

Advocates Across Pennsylvania United in Ensuring Gender Affirming Care Continues in Pennsylvania   HARRISBURG, Pa. — This morning the US Supreme Court issued its decision in the US v. Skrmetti case to uphold Tennessee’s ban on gender affirming medical care for minors. While today’s ruling is a serious disappointment, advocates […]

Full Statement
TONIGHT: Rallies Across PA To Demand UPMC and Penn State Health Continue Saving Trans Youth Lives

TONIGHT: Rallies Across PA To Demand UPMC and Penn State Health Continue Saving Trans Youth Lives
May 9, 2025

TODAY: Rallies Across PA to Demand UPMC and Penn State Health Continue Saving Trans Youth Lives Public Outcry Persists as UPMC and Penn State Health Continue Denial of Life-Saving Gender Affirming Medical Care to New and Some Existing Patients Under 19 Years Old HERSHEY, Pa. — Two weeks ago Penn […]

Full Statement
Bold Letter Demanding UPMC Continue Saving Trans Lives Sent by 75+ Public Officials and Dozens of Leading LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Organizations Across PA

Bold Letter Demanding UPMC Continue Saving Trans Lives Sent by 75+ Public Officials and Dozens of Leading LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Organizations Across PA
April 16, 2025

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Nearly 80 public officials and 38 organizations have joined in a letter sent to UPMC demanding the healthcare system continue saving the lives of transgender youth. The letter calls for UPMC to resume full basic medical care it had provided for over a decade to young patients who are […]

Full Statement