PA LGBTQ Youth Commend House Passage of Discrimination-Free CHIP Reauthorization HARRISBURG, Pa. — On Monday evening, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives approved a reauthorization bill for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) without any of the exclusions for transgender children and teens that advanced in the state Senate. The House […]
Reaffirming Our Commitment to Anti-Racism and Accountability
The Pennsylvania Youth Congress affirms its commitment to ending racial, economic, and social injustice both within our own communities and in the larger world. We believe that white supremacy, classism, and other oppressive forces have no place in LGBTQ communities. We honor those who dedicate their advocacy efforts to creating […]
PYC Condemns the Rescinding of Trans Student Guidance
HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Youth Congress condemns the actions of the US Departments of Education and Justice in rescinding their transgender student guidance. The May 2016 “Dear Colleague” was a crucial letter that provided a national declaration of inclusion and respect for vulnerable students. “As a direct attack against […]
PYC Statement of Solidarity with Targets of Hate in PA Schools
LGBTQ Students Targeted Across Pennsylvania PYC in Solidarity with Victims of Hate Speech, Harassment, and Crimes HARRISBURG, Pa. — In response to a spike in hate-motivated attacks and intimidation, the Pennsylvania Youth Congress reaffirms their solidarity with LGBTQ people, people of color, immigrants, indigenous people, those with disabilities, women, […]
PYC Supports Federal Lawsuit Against Pine-Richland
Statewide LGBTQ Youth Organization Condemns Anti-Transgender Discrimination by Public School District GIBSONIA, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Youth Congress fully supports the federal lawsuit filed today by three transgender students in the Pine-Richland School District. After months of lengthy school board meetings discussing the exclusion of transgender students from school facilities, […]
PA Courts Now Prohibit Gender Identity Discrimination
HARRISBURG, Pa. — In an update initiated by the Pennsylvania Youth Congress, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has revised the Unified Judicial System’s non-discrimination policy to include protections on the basis of gender identity and expression. This policy is now in effect at every court under the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction, including […]
Trans Student Resource Launched for Pennsylvania Schools
HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Youth Congress (PYC) has launched the Dignity for All project as an online resource for school districts in supporting transgender students. The statewide LGBT youth organization has additionally released a model policy for supporting transgender and gender expansive students. The model policy is being sent […]
Great Valley + Springfield Adopt First Known Trans Policies in PA
ORELAND, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Youth Congress congratulates the Great Valley and Springfield Township School Boards on adopting the first formal, recognized, comprehensive transgender student district policies in Pennsylvania. The Great Valley School Board introduced Policy 103.3 on March 14, 2016 and adopted their regulation on April 18, 2016. The Springfield […]
Statement on the General Assembly’s Passage of HB 229
Statement from the Pennsylvania Youth Congress on the General Assembly’s Passage of HB 229 HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Youth Congress expresses its concern with the unanimous passage on Monday of HB 229 from the State Senate. The legislation, championed by Rep. Ron Marsico (R-105), was approved by the State […]