We will continue to order new signs as long as we have requests (and donations.)
Request a sign AND stickers AND pens bit.ly/ProtectsTransKidsSigns
- GoFundMe bit.ly/YardSignsFund **Preferred
- Venmo @PittsburghLGBTQ
- Paypal bit.ly/PayPalPLC
- Facebook.com/PittsburghLGBTQ – Click on Donation
- Checks made payable to ‘Pittsburgh LGBTQ Charities’ and mailed to 1439 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233.
As of April 2023, we have produced 1600+ signs for distribution all funded by donations of nearly $30k to date. We most recently crowdfunded to send boxes of 50 signs into specific communities including City of Butler, Brookline, Carnegie, Fox Chapel, McCandless, and Washington, PA. Our board voted to send signs to Equality Florida and a partner in Tennessee as signs of our solidarity. We placed a message in the Pittsburgh Union Progress strike paper to put the message in front of even more allies.
Our project received a $500 grant from GoFundMe as part of their efforts to amplify trans affirming projects.
The court case is still in the Court of Common Pleas summary appeals division. This is not atypical for a summary offense, but it does mean a long haul for the O’Donnell-Collar family with the legal matters. We are aware that the District Attorney may be adding charges, an encouraging sign.
City Council proclaims September 12, 2022 ‘Protect Trans Kids Day‘ in the City of Pittsburgh via unanimous proclamation. Click here to read the proclamation directed by a committee of trans youth (18 and under) and with the input & approval of Ke’Juan’s family.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that during this back-to-school season and heading into important awareness dates such as National Coming Out Day, Spirit Week, LGBTQ History Month, and the Transgender Day of Remembrance, the City of Pittsburgh should acknowledge the unique contributions and needs of trans youth and take every possible action to Protect Trans Kids.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh declares Monday, September 12, 2022, “Protect Trans Kid Day,” here in the City of Pittsburgh.
Passed in City Council on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.
Theresa Kail-Smith, President of Council
Attest: Ms. Kim Clark-Baskin, City Clerk
SPONSORED BY: COUNCILMAN BOBBY WILSON
CO-SPONSORED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS:
President Theresa Kail-Smith, Ricky V. Burgess, Anthony Coghill, Deborah Gross, Bruce A. Kraus, R. Daniel Lavelle, and Erika Strassburger
Request a sign bit.ly/ProtectsTransKidsSigns ** And NOW Stickers!

A local multi-racial, queer family has been coping with harrassment from a neighbor, including using racism language with their teens and posting a nine-foot ‘collapsible’ sign in her own yard, facing the window of their 15-year-old Black trans daughter.
That sign reads ‘Transing is abuse and homophobic.’
Pittsburgh LGBTQ Charities has been supporting the family as they cope with this harassment. We’ve connected them with government resources, legal supports, and honored their request to make their story visible. We will continue to stand with them while the court cases proceed and until their children feel safe in their neighborhood.
You can read multiple articles about this family and their story, including first-person Q&A’s with the parents and two of their trans and queer kids at this link. For more information on how to connect with the family, please read their Q&As and email us folx@pghlgbtq.org
We’ve also helped to plant a garden of #ProtectTransKids yard signs designed with the family. We’ve distributed them throughout the region, beginning with the neighborhoods closest to the family (Pittsburgh’s Northside.)
Ideally, what would support from the community look like to you? People putting up signs in the neighborhood supporting trans youth. The community watching out for us and making sure we are ok. Keeping us posted on what we can do, what I can do, so the next family that goes through will have the resources and processes put in place.
– Ke’Juan, 15
There is no charge for a yard sign, but we do rely on donations to fund production of new signs. The signs average $12/each and we can purchase a batch of 50 for $580 or a larger batch of 250 for $2500. This is our cost, not a fundraiser. Our print partner is Commonwealth Press who have donated the design work and been diligent about turning around the orders lightning fast.
Individuals can also request up to five stickers that will be mailed to them. Still no charge, but we do ask for donations of $1/per sticker to cover printing and postage. Schools, libraries, and youth organizations can request 10 stickers per building. Please use the same form
We will continue to order new signs as long as we have requests (and donations.)
Request a sign AND stickers bit.ly/ProtectsTransKidsSigns
Donations can be made via
- GoFundMe bit.ly/YardSignsFund **Preferred
- Venmo @PittsburghLGBTQ
- Paypal bit.ly/PayPalPLC
- Facebook.com/PittsburghLGBTQ – Click on Donation
- Checks made payable to ‘Pittsburgh LGBTQ Charities’ and mailed to 1439 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233.
“One sign in one yard is powerful, but watching five or ten additional signs pop up the next day in that neighborhood — it is like a garden blooming,” says Kerr. “We encourage other communities to invest in batches of signs to send a message of support to trans youth. Imagine the possibilities, especially in areas where elected officials support anti-trans legislation or school districts are struggling to provide safe learning environments for LGBTQ students. Even a handful of neighbors showing support for one of their own.”
Sue Kerr to the Pittsburgh City Paper

Read more at the Pittsburgh City Paper and other local media sources
- “Protect Trans Kids” signs spring up throughout North Side in support of local family alleging harassment – Pittsburgh City Paper
- Local family speaking out after they said neighbor targeted transgender daughter with yard signs – WPXI
- Judge finds neighbor guilty of harassment in North Side transphobia case – Pittsburgh City Paper
- Resident of Pittsburgh’s North Side fined for displaying transphobic sign – WPXI
- North Side family alleges transphobic harassment from neighbor – Pittsburgh City Paper
- No-contact order given in North Side transphobic harassment case; final ruling to come – Pittsburgh City Paper
- WTAE coverage of magisterial hearing
- CityCastPittsburgh coverage of project
- City Council proclaims Sept. 12 as ‘Protect Trans Kids Day’ in Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
- Inspired by support of local trans teen, Pittsburgh celebrates ‘Protect Trans Kids Day’ – WESA FM 90.5
- Protect Trans Kids Day demonstrates Pittsburgh’s ongoing commitment to acceptance – Next Pittsburgh
- Local LGBTQ youth draft Protect Trans Kids Day proclamation – Pittsburgh City Paper