The mutual aid campaign is accepting donations for transgender and non-binary youth this holiday season.
Last December, trans and intersex organizers Kyle Lasky, Chase Strangio, Pidgeon Pagonis, and Pose star Indya Moore launched TranSanta, a mutual aid social media campaign that accepts donations and delivers gifts to transgender youth in need at Christmastime. The effort was such a success that last holiday season, TranSanta raised over $400,000 (from anyone willing to donate) in gifts for trans youth—many of whom are homeless, in foster care, or suffering in unsafe households. Among its more famous donors is Ariana Grande, who gave a sizable donation over the summer as part of its Christmas in June campaign.
This Christmas season, TransSanta is back and accepting applications from trans youth in need of help and donations until December 20, 2021. “Through anonymous and safe gift-giving, trans and nonbinary youth who are houseless, in foster care, or otherwise without vital support receive the gifts they want and the affirmation they need from people all over the world,” a TranSanta Instagram post states.
Trans youth across the country are perhaps more vulnerable than ever, as 2021 marked a record year for violence against trans and nonbinary people. According to them, at least 48 individuals in the community were killed in the U.S. Additionally, Axios reported that Republican lawmakers introduced a record number of anti-trans bills across the country in 2021. At least 73 pieces of legislation have already been put forward in state legislatures targeting members of the transgender community, with 65 specifically targeting trans youth. These bills include prohibiting medical care doctors can offer trans minors and limiting the participation of trans-student-athletes in school sports programs. “Trans youth are facing unimaginable attacks at the moment, and things are going to escalate again with the start of 2022 legislative sessions. We can counteract the coordinated attack on trans youth with our love and support!” Chase Strangio, the co-founder of TransSanta and an ACLU staff attorney, recently wrote on Instagram.
According to the campaign’s website and social media accounts, TranSanta hopes to create a safe space for trans youth to both have their needs met and feel supported and appreciated, especially in a time of increased violence against trans and non-binary people.
Some wishlists featured on the TranSanta Instagram account—which over 100,000 people now follow—include:
