A Holiday Success Story - TranSanta

 

Pose Star Indya Moore Is Helping Santa Deliver Gifts To Transgender Kids

To help ensure all children, teens, and young adults have a happy holiday in 2020, Pose actress Indya Moore launched an initiative called "TranSanta." The social media campaign, which the FX series star created with a friend, aims to connect volunteers with transgender youth under the age of 24 who are homeless, in foster care, or don't have the means to get to their loved ones, and receive Christmas gifts this year.

"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,” 25-year-old Moore said in a statement to People. “We are transing Santa — join us! Transness is so beautiful and we are celebrating our magic.”

Through "TransSanta," people can help fulfill Christmas wishlists or purchase items from pre-made Target registries. The gifts will then be delivered anonymously. The campaign's Instagram page is full of letters from transgender youth who've shared their letters to Santa or wishlists for the holidays. Like 5-year-old Wallee who is "looking forward to some Dr. Seuss books" or 17-year-old Gabe who would love a pair of "boba earrings" or a "cheese board."

Many letters simply asked for encouragement and support. As a survey conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality has shown, 78% of transgender people said they've experienced harassment in their youth, specifically in grade K through 12. "It's been a hard time this year due to transphobia and not having a support system around me," one letter read. "I'd love to get some love this holiday season and enjoy myself while I'm at it."

Moore said in a video on Instagram, encouraging viewers to be a Santa to trans youth in need.

Your gift is a token of support and love and affirmation for our futures.

Those who would like be included in the campaign can email their name, age, their Target gift registry, and a picture of their hand-written letter to TranSanta to tranSanta2020@gmail.com. From there, the letter will be featured on the Instagram page.

Moore has been advocating for transgender rights for years, specifically the rights of Black and brown transgender youth and women, who are disproportionately victims of violence. According to the Human Rights Campaign, at least 41 transgender people have been fatally shot or killed in 2020, and the majority of these crimes have been against young Black and brown transgender people.