Transanta is Spreading Holiday Cheer and Affirmation to Queer Youth
Santa Claus isn’t always an old, jolly, white man scooting down a chimney in a red velvet suit. Sometimes the mystical gift giver is actually thousands of kind strangers on the internet.
In 2020, Kyle Lasky, Chase Strangio, and actress Indya Moore launched Transanta, a mutual aid campaign that safely and anonymously delivers gifts to transgender youth in need. Individuals can share their stories on Transanta’s Instagram, and those who have the capacity to give can shop their Amazon wishlists and directly ship them their most wanted presents.
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“This service was meant to be a symbol of love for trans youth, to let them know that there are people all around this nation, all over the place, who really do care about them, and who do believe in them, and who do believe that they deserve kindness, respect, and to be affirmed for who they are,” says Moore.
Transanta is near and dear to Moore’s heart. Growing up, she was constantly labeled as disobedient for being trans and wanting to take pride in her queerness. “My personality and my identity were misunderstood as bad behavior because I was trans, and that was like an abomination,” Moore says. “I want to change this narrative of trans kids being naughty kids and trans youth being naughty.”
Transanta’s website estimates that there are more than 1.3 million trans youth under the age of 17 in the United States. According to the Center of American Progress, trans youth are more likely to be homeless and victims of violence. BIPOC trans youth face even higher rates of violence and insecurities of life’s necessities.
Being emotionally shunned by family and forced to stay in the closet is a sad reality for many individuals sharing their stories on Transanta’s Instagram. Some have been kicked out of their homes and pushed into foster care or group homes where life is rarely better. Others are forced to suppress their identity. But for the past three years, Transanta has been a beacon of hope for thousands of youth in need.
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“I’ve been moved to see how much this virtual chimney has been able to get so many people things that they actually need, that these aren’t just desires, but their fundamental basic needs,” Moore says. Some ask for things like household appliances or personal hygiene products. Others ask for gender-affirming clothing or things that bring them happiness like art supplies and books. “I don’t care who disagrees with me, but joy is also a fundamental need.”
Stella, a Transanta gift recipient, knew she was a girl before she even learned to read. When her legal guardians weren’t around, she’d put on princess dresses and pretend to be an enchanted heroine with flowing locks of hair. But her guardians never accepted her for who she really was—a girl. They’d make her cut her hair. They didn’t let her wear jewelry or paint her nails. They stripped her of everything that made her feel feminine for her entire adolescence.
She’d ask for dolls or princess clothes for Christmas but was promptly shut down. “They would be like ‘We’re not endorsing your female wanna-be sins’ or whatever they would call it,” Stella recalls.
Now at 21, Stella has turned to Transanta to bring her some joy this holiday season. She’s already received a lesbian pride flag that she hangs proudly in the corner of her room, women’s undergarments, and pretty, ruffly clothing that helps affirm her identity.
For the generous people who shopped her wishlist, Stella says, “I really, really, really appreciate you. And I thank you so much for the gifts.”
You can support Transanta and trans youth in need by making a donation or shopping a wishlist.
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Photo courtesy of Instagram
