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

Gender-Neutral Driver’s Licenses Now Available in PA!

Gender-Neutral Driver’s Licenses Now Available in PA!
August 7, 2019

Gender-neutral markers are now 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. PYC is proud to have helped successfully advance this effort over several years. We first proposed gender-neutral gender markers to […]

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Pennsylvania Celebrates Trans Day of Visibility!

Pennsylvania Celebrates Trans Day of Visibility!
March 31, 2019

Trans Day of Visibility is a day to celebrate transgender individuals and communities all around the world! The day was created in 2009 by Rachel Crandall, the Executive Director and co-founder of Transgender Michigan. While Trans Day of Remembrance is a solemn day held each November to mourn the lives […]

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PYC Foundation Welcomes Seven New Board Members

PYC Foundation Welcomes Seven New Board Members
March 27, 2019

We are thrilled to share that the Pennsylvania Youth Congress Foundation is welcoming seven new board members this month. There are now ten members of the PYC Foundation Board of Directors. The board is comprised of dedicated leaders from all across our commonwealth. The new members include (as pictured from […]

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