National LGBTQ Task Force Welcomes Trans Activist Kris Hayashi as Director of Advocacy and Action

The following is a press release from the National LGBTQ Task Force

The National LGBTQ Task Force announced the hiring of Kris Hayashi as Director of the Advocacy and Action department, which currently encompasses the organization's policy, field, and faith teams. Hayashi is a longtime LGBTQ activist and critical leader in the fight for transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming members of the community.

"We could not be more excited or honored to welcome Kris Hayashi to our team and the Task Force family. Kris will bring immeasurable expertise to our advocacy and policy work as our community, especially our trans and non-binary siblings, are under unrelenting and unprecedented attacks," said Kierra Johnson, Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force. "Having Kris join us as we launch our Queer the Vote campaign and more in this critical election year, bringing decades of leadership and knowledge, is a game-changer for the Task Force this time."

"At a time when trans communities are facing escalating attacks on our rights, lives and very existence, I am excited to join the National LGBTQ Task Force and support the organization's work to build a queer progressive movement that centers trans power, resistance and joy," said Kris Hayashi. "The National LGBTQ Task Force is a legacy institution that aims to work at the intersections of the multiple identities our trans and queer family members hold and that means the world to me," continued Hayashi. "Since taking the helm, Executive Director Kierra Johnson has been leading with racial and gender justice, intersectionality, deep integrity and a clear vision grounded in what is at stake for our communities and the country – I am honored to join her team," concluded Hayashi.

Kris Hayashi has been active in social, racial, and economic justice movements for 30 years and specifically within LGBT movements for the last 20. Kris most recently served as the Executive Director at the Transgender Law Center (TLC). TLC is the largest national trans-led organization advocating self-determination for all people. Grounded in legal expertise and committed to racial justice, TLC employs a variety of community-driven strategies to keep transgender and gender nonconforming people alive, thriving, and fighting for rights and justice. Previously, Kris served as the Executive Director/Co-Director of the Audre Lorde Project (ALP), a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans, and Gender Non-Conforming People of Color organizing center based in New York City. Prior to ALP, he served as Executive Director of Youth United for Community Action, a youth organizing group in California, led by young people of color organizing for social and environmental justice. Kris currently serves on the board of the California Endowment.