Project
Transanta
2020 – presentTransanta is a mutual aid project that connects anonymous gift-givers with trans youth who are unhoused, in foster care, or otherwise without crucial support they need to thrive.
Started in 2020 by Indya Moore, Kyle Lasky, and Chase Strangio, Transanta was born of a desire to center trans care, joy and giving at a time of escalating violence and attacks on the trans community.
Transanta exists to show trans youth that they are loved and supported, and that they have a family of people around the world who care for them, believe in them, and want them to succeed.
Research shows that trans youth with supportive families have a 52% decrease in suicidal thoughts—Transanta aims to broaden our understanding of family and structural support so that our entire community can experience affirmation and love even when those close to them may hurt or fail them.
Ultimately, our capacity for love, care, and connection can disrupt some of the structural limits on our survival opportunities and create more space for people to thrive and continue rich trans legacies of social and political transformation.
How does it work?
Trans youth write letters to Transanta and send in their gift registries during our open application period;
We share those letters on Instagram and our website, linking them to their corresponding gift registries;
Transantas all over the world use those registries to buy gifts, which are sent directly and safely to the recipients without any personal information being shared!
Who can be a Transanta?
Anyone with the means to buy a gift, leave a loving and supportive comment, or donate directly to Transanta to support the future of our project!
Transanta is not about Christmas. It's about a season of giving, shining a healing light on the most vulnerable in our communities. Santas are from all spiritual and religious backgrounds, from countries all over the world—they're queer, straight, cis, trans—they're parents, friends, teachers, neighbors—we all have a profound capacity for love and we call can be santas!
Why is this so important?
Right now, young trans people are under attack across the country and around the world. The latest wave of legislative attacks on trans life in the United States has effectively constrained access to school, health care, safe housing, and future life chances for young trans people. These latest attacks are compounding the already precarious life conditions for trans youth, particularly Black and Brown youth who face the discrimination and violence of multiple systems of oppression.
Among the many devastating costs of these conditions are the ways that trans young people feel left behind, uncared for, and scared for their futures. We want to show trans young people that they are loved, supported, and have chosen family around the world who care about them and want them to succeed. By investing in trans care, you are investing in trans survival.
Anyone can be a Santa, join us! Transness is so beautiful and we are celebrating our magic!