Child safety advocate Chris Elston is expanding his one-on-one street conversations into a global non-profit organization and grassroots movement that will educate, activate, and equip others to speak truth and help protect children from radical gender ideology and harmful medical interventions.
Chris Elston, the Canadian child safety activist known online as “Billboard Chris” for wearing sandwich boards with slogans critical of transgender ideology, has launched a new nonprofit organization aimed at stopping medical and surgical interventions for gender-confused children.
We Speak Truth, as it’s known, will focus on what Elston describes as “exposing the medical malpractice of child transition” and defending free speech for those who speak out against it. The launch follows Elston’s arrest in Belgium during a street protest, which he and his supporters say is part of a broader trend of silencing dissent on radical gender ideology.
“I’ve spent the last five years having conversations on the street about this issue, often while being assaulted for it,” Elston told The Daily Wire. “Now, with We Speak Truth, we’re formalizing a grassroots movement to educate, activate, and equip people to protect children.”
The new initiative is international in scope, but Elston anticipates that roughly half of its activity will remain centered in the United States. He points to states such as Minnesota, where gender clinics continue to provide puberty blockers and surgeries to minors, as examples of where his organization’s outreach is urgently needed.
Elston said that We Speak Truth will prioritize education, political engagement, and collaboration with other advocacy organizations. “Change happens one conversation at a time,” he said. “Collaborating with other organizations is key, along with harnessing the power of social media.”
A growing number of European countries have begun to roll back gender treatments for minors. England’s National Health Service recently closed Tavistock, the country’s only gender clinic, while France, Sweden, and Finland have issued warnings or restrictions on puberty blockers for children.
Elston said these moves show momentum is shifting, though he stressed that long-term, education is still essential.
Free speech, especially in European and other Western countries, is also a key part of the mission. Elston is all too aware of the growing use of coercive government censorship from personal experience.
In early 2024, he had an “offensive” social media post criticizing a transgender activist taken down by Australia’s eSafety Commissioner because it allegedly violated the cyber abuse provisions of the Online Safety Act. With the help of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International, Elston sued, and a tribunal later ruled that the Australian government had overstepped its bounds in censoring the post.
While Elston’s case had a happy ending, that’s not true for many others in Europe, who have been tried, fined, fired, and even jailed for writing, speaking, or even thinking “hateful,” “offensive,” or “unapproved” opinions.
“Freedom of expression comes with an asterisk in many European countries,” Elston said. “We will always endeavor to follow the law, while at the same time challenge abuses of authority.”
He cited the U.K.’s High Court ruling in 2020, which concluded that children are unlikely to fully understand the implications of puberty blockers, as a foundation for challenging government restrictions on speech criticizing transgender ideology and medical interventions.
ADF stated that Elston’s peaceful activism is part of a broader concern that some governments are openly suppressing honest debate on gender ideology.
“It is vital we challenge the global spread of censorship. We’re used to hearing about governments punishing citizens for their ‘wrong’ speech in parts of the world where strict blasphemy laws are still enforced — but now, from Australia, to Mexico, to Finland, we see Western governments increasingly take authoritarian steps to shut down views they don’t like, often by branding them as ‘offensive’, ‘hateful’, or ‘misinformation,’” explained Robert Clarke, director of advocacy for ADF International.
“In a free society, ideas should be challenged with ideas, not state censorship,” he added. “We’re proud to stand with Billboard Chris — and others around the world punished for expressing their peaceful views — in defending the right to live and speak the truth.”
Elston’s street activism has often led to confrontations with the legal system and with LGBTQ activists. For example, in June, he was arrested and jailed in Brussels, Belgium, for refusing to take down his signs and stop protesting after he had been attacked by an angry mob. He says has been physically attacked multiple times and still receives threats. At the same time, though, Elston believes the public is becoming more aware and critical of medical interventions for children.
His campaign is also gaining traction among communities not traditionally aligned with conservative causes.
“On the street, I receive more than 90% support — especially from demographics that traditionally vote Democrat, such as the Black community and immigrant communities,” he said,
We Speak Truth will soon launch a video series and educational resources to equip individuals to engage in informed, civil conversations. While Elston’s method of billboard street activism may not be for everyone, he hopes the nonprofit can inspire and empower others to speak out.
“Street activism isn’t for everybody, but we will be producing a series of short videos covering all the basics,” he said. “It’s important to always stress the positive message: that children are beautiful just as they are — no drugs or scalpels needed.”
When asked whether the organization might expand its mission if gender transition procedures on children were banned, Elston said the core mission would stay the same.
Those interested in supporting the group or learning more can do so at WeSpeakTruth.com.
Takeaway
As followers of Christ, we are called to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15), even when doing so comes at great personal cost. Elston’s bold stand through We Speak Truth is a timely example of what it means to defend both truth and human dignity in an age of confusion.
The Christian worldview affirms that every child is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), created male or female in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). Attempts to change that identity through medical intervention not only reject God’s design but also risk causing lasting physical and emotional harm. As believers, we must be willing to protect the vulnerable, especially children, who cannot legally consent to such life-altering decisions.
Elston’s work challenges us to consider our own role in this cultural moment. While not all are called to street activism, all Christians should be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16), pushing back against darkness in whatever sphere God places us. Whether through conversation, prayer, or support for groups like We Speak Truth, we can play a part in confronting the lies of gender ideology with the healing truth of Scripture.
Elston’s example reminds us that speaking the truth may come with opposition, including threats or acts of violence. Jesus warned us that the world would hate those who follow Him (John 15:18-19). Our response must not be fear, but faithfulness.
Christians should celebrate efforts that protect children from irreversible harm and affirm their God-given worth. Let us take seriously our calling to love our neighbor by offering clarity, compassion, and truth rooted in the Gospel and a biblical worldview of gender.
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