The True Colors Fund, a charity focused on helping LGBTQ+
homeless youth, held a fundraiser
event at the Yardley Community
Center last Thursday, March 30,
raising over $2,800.
The event was hosted by local
Mason Collier, 17, a student at
Pennsbury High School and a
member of the transgender community.
Collier wanted to create this
event to help raise awareness in
the community. “I got the idea
to start this event because I was
reflecting on my own issues and
I realized I had the power to help
people going through similar or
even worse problems” he explained.
The event was put together
to emphasize the importance
of equality and acceptance for
LGBTQ+ members.
“The most important thing to
me about this event was the community
came together to support
struggling people.”
The organization Hate Has No
Home Here also participated in
the event, donating magnets and
posters to sell throughout the
night.
The night kicked off with a performance
from local band, Static
Drift, where they performed a collection
of their own music as well
as covers of rock and roll hits.
“As a band, we really stand
behind the cause and we wanted
to show our support for the
LGBTQ+ community.” Bailee Zelis,
bassist and vocalist explained.
“We have family and friends close
to us who are gay, lesbian, bisexual
and trans, so the event seemed
perfect for us to play!”
Zelis went on the explain that
it was cool to play an event that
was so close to her heart, especially
since it was one of their first
shows.
Static Drift is currently working
on their first EP and are hopefully
going to be performing at other
local events this year.
The night continued with an
emotional speech from Mason,
who told a story of his personal
journey on coming out, which
helped him resonate with the
crowd and create a safe space for
the event.
He then introduced the main
speaker, famous transgender Youtuber
and activist, Aydian Dowling,
who traveled all the way from
Ohio for the event.
Aydian Dowling is the face
behind the Youtube channel,
“alionsfears”, which he started
to help him feel connected to the
community and to share his story.
His speech was inspiring. He
took the audience through his
journey, beginning when he was
an adolescent, struggling through
depression and self-discovery, all
the way to the successful man he
is today.
Youtube helped him to cope
with his transition and gave him
the ability to give advice to others
in his position, making them feel
accepted and listened to.
Dowling has appeared on The
Ellen Show, where he spoke about
the campaign he was a part to get
the first transgender man on the
cover of Men’s Health Magazine.
He also spoke of his other
accomplishments, like how he
was the first transgender man to
be on the cover of Gay Times
Magazine.
Dowling has created an International
Transgender Clothing Company
called “Point 5cc” where a
part of the proceeds go towards
helping LGBTQ+ youth become
their truest selves.
His company, amongst his other
achievements, have inspired people
throughout the world, giving
them a voice to count on and
someone to look up to in times
they need it most.
“The most inspiring thing about
meeting and hearing Aydian speak
was that it made me realize that
I can get there one day” Collier
explained, “Seeing Aydian live
made me realize that I can inspire
others by being a trans male.”
Aydian left the room in awe,
leaving everyone breathless after
hearing the motivating story that
exuberated love and equality.
Leaving the night on a beautiful
note, he said to the crowd “We
are all human beings, remember
that.”