2023 Participant Biographies

Janelle Kayla Crossley is a sole advocate for gender identity in Central, Pa. and surrounding areas for 13+ years. Her passion is bringing visibility, awareness and education of gender identity to society in hopes of gaining equality for all. Since her transition 13 years ago she became a volunteer with many organizations within her community including becoming a Big Sister of Big Brothers/Big Sisters as well as serving on their newly created JEDI Committee, also has seats on local boards for organizations that are bettering our communities, as in The Cumberland County Round Table. Janelle has worked with the Amish community, as in helping an Amish male transition to female and remain within the Amish community and with her family. Our mission was a success. Janelle is also co-founder of Pa. Coalition for Trans Youth, a coalition of members from across the State of Pennsylvania to support our trans youth, families, and all people inclusively against hate, bigotry, and discrimination they are experiencing within society. Janelle was a candidate for Pa. State Representative of House District 199 in Cumberland County in 2020. She was not victorious in the election, but she made history in the State of Pennsylvania by being the first openly trans woman to run for a state elected office in Pennsylvania and was inducted into the Rainbow Wave of The Library of Congress in Washington D.C.