Introducing the Stay Gold Fund

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Tobly McSmith is the author of STAY GOLD, an upcoming young adult novel about a transgender boy finding love and finding himself, out May 2020 from HarperCollins. To coincide with Tobly’s debut book launch, he’s set up a fund at Stonewall to support trans and gender non-conforming individuals on their paths of transition. We’re proud to introduce the Stay Gold Fund at Stonewall Community Foundation.

In his own words, Tobly outlines why he felt compelled to start this vital fund:

“On April 12, Trump passed the ban on transgender people in the military, in part due to the 'high cost' of gender-affirming surgeries. At the time, I was writing a young adult novel about a transgender boy falling in love and finding himself, but also—as many trans people like myself have done—saving up for his top surgery. That night, sitting at my computer, I realized I need to help. I need to help now.  As a result of that awful ban, I found important purpose for myself and my book: helping to provide financial assistance for gender-affirming surgeries and striving to remove the stigma around this important step in the transition journey. I'm so excited to be working with Stonewall Community Foundation to provide life-affirming surgeries to transgender and non-binary people in need.”

STAY GOLD is Tobly McSmith’s debut novel, delivering a coming-of-age teen love story about a transgender boy who’s going stealth at his new Texas high school and a cisgender girl who is drawn to him, even as she’s counting down the days until graduation. Perfect for fans of David Levithan, Becky Albertalli, and Jenny Han. Funny and poignant, clear-eyed and hopeful, Stay Gold is a story about finding love—and finding yourself.

Tobly is also the co-creator/writer of seven successful musical parodies including Friends! The Musical! and Office! The Musical Parody! Tobly was born in Texas, and now lives in New York City with his two cats, Bam-Bam and Bananas McSmith. Tobly is proud to be transgender. 

Gattlin Miller