True Colors United

Community & Support Groups, Housing & Homelessness, and LGBTQ+ Organizations & Advocacy
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True Colors United is a national nonprofit organization focused specifically on ending homelessness among LGBTQ+ young people. Founded by Cyndi Lauper and Tim Gunn, the organization works to transform the systems that serve homeless youth by helping shelters and service providers better understand and affirm LGBTQ+ identities.

LGBTQ+ youth make up approximately 40 percent of young people experiencing homelessness in the United States, often because of family rejection following coming out. True Colors United addresses this by training service providers, advocating for policy change, and amplifying the voices of LGBTQ+ youth with lived experience of homelessness. Their website also includes a searchable resource hub to help young people find local housing and support services.

For queer youth facing housing instability, or adults trying to help a young person in crisis, True Colors United offers a meaningful combination of direct navigation support and systemic advocacy. Their work recognizes that LGBTQ+ youth homelessness is not inevitable — it is the result of family rejection and system failures that can be changed.

If you are an LGBTQ+ young person experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, or someone supporting one, True Colors United connects people to local resources and fights to make those resources more affirming everywhere.