Homeless transgender people – Caring for transgender people in hostels

Homeless transgender people – Caring for transgender people in hostels

 

Lisa Mottet and John M. Ohle
Abstract [Full Text] PDF (310kb)

 

A GUIDE TO MAKING HOMELESS SHELTERS SAFE FOR TRANSGENDER PEOPLE

This is a .PDF file [adobe acrobat] For some legal issues contained within it that relate to the USA can and do differ from the UK – for the UK see our own legal sections click here!

Homelessness is a crisis. An estimated 3.5 million people experience homelessness each year in the USA alone.

This publication is for shelters that wish to make their shelters safe for all people by making a few minor but important policy adjustments. Most emergency and temporary homeless shelters and shelter systems in the United States are segregated by sex. There are men’s facilities, women’s facilities, facilities that house both men and women but in separate quarters, youth facilities, and family facilities. Placement at most facilities is typically based on assumptions about a person’s sex—that is, male or female. Many facilities, especially youth facilities, have rules about gender-related dress or appearance. As a result, transgender youth and adults, who identify as or express a gender that is different from their birth sex, can experience extreme difficulties in obtaining adequate and safe shelter.

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Citation: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute, National Coalition for the Homeless