Pose star Indya Moore is ‘transing Santa’ for the kids who deserve it most
Indya Moore is making Christmas happen for trans youth (Instagram/@IndyaMoore)
Pose star Indya Moore is on a mission to make sure trans kids know they’re loved and appreciated this Christmas.
The non-binary actor is “transing Santa” with a new social media campaign that connects generous people with transgender youths who are homeless, in foster care or don’t otherwise have a means of receiving Christmas presents this year.
Their touching letters and wish lists are displayed on the TranSanta Instagram page, where helpers can select from a Target gift registry and send presents directly to those in need.
“For the holidays, we want to show trans young people that they are loved, supported and have a family around the country and world of people who will care for them,” Moore said in a statement.
“We are transing Santa – join us! Transness is so beautiful and we are celebrating our magic.”
Each gift is a “token of support and love and affirmation for our futures”, Moore said, and it’s never been more needed.
The actor developed the idea with the American trans rights lawyer Chase Strangio, who felt they had to do something for the youngest ones in their community after “the most violent and deadly” year.
More trans and gender non-conforming people have been murdered this year than any other since records began, and trans youth are already at particularly high risk for discrimination, harassment, homelessness, and suicide.
A 2015 survey of America’s trans population found that 30 percent of respondents had experienced homelessness at some point in their lives, while forty percent had attempted suicide. Most reported some form of mistreatment, including harassment, physical assault, or sexual assault during their school years.
This trauma is reflected in their heartbreaking Christmas letters, where housing insecurity, abusive parents and unemployment are common themes.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
“I think it’s important to take direct action and think about these things when we’re living in a world that universally ostracises trans people in every possible way,” Indya Moore said.
The star previously helped raise money for trans youth during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic through Cash App, where they redistributed donations to trans people of colour. As of April they had raised $20,000 to the trans community.
