Who We Are
The Trans Youth Support Network is a partnership of youth and community members working together to support trans youth in Minnesota.
When we use the term "trans", we mean any person whose identity, expression, or behavior falls outside of gender "norms". We understand that labels are personal and recognize the broad range of identities that can fall within the "trans" label.
We were founded as a community response to a series of incidents of violence targeting young transwomen of color in the Fall of 2004. Through organizing, education, advocacy, and youth leadership development, we seek to address the root cause of injustice and oppression that queer, trans and gender non-conforming youth and youth of color face. We also provide gender/trans accessibility trainings for local youth services to increase access for trans and gender non-conforming youth.
What We're About
Our mission is to promote racial, social, and economic justice for trans youth, with the freedom to self-define gender identity and expression.
We do this through training, educating, and connecting youth serving organizations. Our work is consistently shaped and directed by trans youth.
How We're Possible
TYSN is doing our work through generous funding and support by the community and:
- the Resist Foundation
- the John Larsen Foundation
- PFund Foundation
- Headwaters Foundation for Justice
- Rainbow Health Initiatve
