Are you a trans gurl of color who is sparking change around your community and wants to connect with other leading gurls nationwide? Do you want to boost your organizing, research, and leadership skills and build movement experience with other young activists? Do you want to share your own story and support other trans youth in sharing theirs? 

The Roses Initiative is a trans youth leadership program supported by GSA Network and Transgender Law Center via Gender Justice Leadership Programs. The initiative centers the expertise and leadership of trans gurls of color who are organizing toward a future free from the violence trans women and gurls of color face for living as their authentic selves. 

The 2022 Roses Youth Council will work together as a team to strengthen organizing and leadership skills while holding important conversations about the experiences and demands of our community. This is a great way for trans gurls between the ages of 14-18 to grow in their leadership and continue to make lasting impacts on our movement for gender justice and liberation. 

The Roses Youth Council is a year-long youth program with a series of skill-building workshops and creative project opportunities for council members. 

All council members are eligible for a quarterly $300 educational award. 

Our team welcomes all young, transgender gurls of color activists from ages 14-18 to apply for open council positions. Council members should expect 5-8 hours of programming each month, including workshops, council meetings, and other programming events. 

If you would like to know more about our work with past National Trans Youth Councils (from our TRUTH program), visit our leadership page and follow our program’s Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook via @ourtranstruth! 

We are excited to welcome in a new cohort of young and powerful trans gurls of color! Questions should be emailed to Mulani jackson at [email protected].