Introducing Gender Riot Press—A Literary Revolution for Trans Youth

Book bans are burning through America, and trans youth are the kindling. We say: when the establishment betrays us, we build something they can’t burn down.

In a moment when our government and institutions are making every effort to systematically silence trans youth, we're thrilled to announce the launch of Gender Riot Press—a nonprofit literary collective dedicated to amplifying the voices of transgender and gender-creative young people through publication, community, and creative resistance.

Why Now? Because Silence Is Not an Option

Since 2020, between 2,000-3,000 American communities across more than 30 states have implemented policies censoring access to transgender and LGBTQ+ information, literature, and spaces for youth. With over 4,240 documented book bans in the 2023-2024 school year alone and legislation like Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law spreading to other states, trans teens are being deliberately erased from libraries, classrooms, and public discourse.

This isn't happening in a vacuum. An estimated 300,000-510,000 youth ages 13-17 identify as transgender in 2025—up to 3% of their peers. These young people are the primary targets in a censorship campaign affecting 20-30 million children nationwide. Behind these statistics are real voices, real stories, and real creative expressions being suppressed.

Gender Riot Press refuses to accept this silencing.

Introducing BACKTALK—Our Flagship Literary Magazine

At the heart of Gender Riot Press is BACKTALK, our literary magazine created specifically by and for trans and gender-creative young people. BACKTALK isn't just a publication – it's an act of resistance.

The name says it all: when young people are told to be quiet about who they are, BACKTALK provides the platform to respond, to push back, to speak truth to those in power. The magazine will feature:

  • Original creative writing across genres
  • Visual art and photography
  • Interviews conducted by trans youth
  • Community spotlights and resources

BACKTALK flips the script on the very concept of "talking back" – transforming what adults often label as disrespect into a powerful act of self-preservation and community building.

Breaking Isolation Through Creative Community

With 20-25 states now banning transgender youth from sports and facilities matching their gender identity, and over 1,000 school districts stifling gender expression, isolation is not an accidental byproduct – it's the goal. The Trevor Project reports that 85% of transgender and nonbinary teens say these political attacks have negatively affected their mental health.

Gender Riot Press is creating counterspaces through:

  • Writing workshops (both virtual and !eventually! in-person)
  • Editorial mentorship opportunities
  • Community reading events
  • Online forums for creative connection

These spaces prove what we already know—trans youth will not be erased. They will find each other, create together, and build the communities they deserve—with or without institutional support.

The South—Where Resistance Shines Brightest

While anti-trans legislation and book bans are a national crisis, the South has become ground zero for these attacks. Texas and Florida alone accounted for 1,477 school library bans in 2022-2023, with at least 15 anti-trans laws enacted across the region by 2025.

Yet paradoxically, the South is also home to some of the most vibrant and determined trans communities in the country. Southern trans youth are diamonds under pressure, and we’re here to unearth them.

That’s why Gender Riot Press will specifically prioritize finding and supporting young trans voices in the communities facing the most aggressive censorship. We know from experience that the most powerful resistance often emerges from the places under the greatest pressure.

Youth-Led & Youth-Centered

Gender Riot Press is built on a simple belief: trans and gender-creative young people know their own experiences best. Our programming and publication decisions are guided by a youth editorial board working alongside adult mentors.

For our first year, we're aiming to:

  • Publish a pilot issue of BACKTALK targeting 100 submissions
  • Conduct workshops reaching at least 50 young trans writers and artists
  • Build a sustainable model for youth-led publishing to grow into 2026

Sign up for our newsletter to catch our Kickstarter launch on April 15.

Gender Riot Press isn't waiting for permission to exist. We’re launching in 2025 with a $40,000 Kickstarter goal—your support will make it happen.

Here's how you can join us:

  • Donate to support our launch (link coming soon)
  • Spread the word to trans youth in your community
  • Volunteer your skills if you're a writer, editor, or artist
  • Challenge book bans and anti-trans policies in your local schools

In a time when the very existence of transgender youth is being debated in legislatures and school board meetings, creating space for their authentic creative expression isn't just important – it's revolutionary.

Gender Riot Press is more than a publisher. We're a rebellion against silence. And we're just getting started. Every banned book, every silenced teen, fuels this riot. Are you in?

Follow us on social media [@GenderRiotPress] for updates on our official launch, submission guidelines, and ways to get involved.