As of today we are 23 days into the new administration, and we’ve already seen the attacks on the queer community, especially our trans community, escalate at an alarming rate. On day one of the administration many Executive Orders were signed, including one stating the United States government will only recognize two genders: Male, and Female, and only the one assigned at the person’s birth. This means that the United States government does not recognize Trans femme/masc, Non- binary, Genderqueeer, Two-spirit, etc… This is opening the floodgates for the open discrimination of gender expansive people without federal repercussions.
It is important to note that this does not supersede state and/or local laws recognizing and protecting the rights of gender expansive people. Denver is known as one of those cities that recognize, and protect gender expansive people – making Denver a destination for queer people escaping persecution in other states. Since the morning after the election many queer advocacy groups working to help relocate people to Denver were overwhelmed with requests for help. Many people will come here with nothing more than the clothes on their backs, with nowhere to stay.
`The majority of Denver’s houseless services are run by religious organizations and nonprofits with very little understanding (or respect) of the specific needs of queer people. All of the city’s overnight congregate shelters are gender segregated, and run by religious organizations with known track records of anti-queer sentiments. (With the exception of The Delores Project, but sadly they only have 30 beds for queer people and cis-hetero females). These shelters employ people with very little if any knowledge of queer specific issues, and are given very little basic training on how to interact with a vulnerable population like the houseless community.
H.A.N.D. is calling on the city of Denver to help to create and fund a Queer based, queer ran overnight shelter, and service center. Denver could set a precedent in the U.S. by opening such a place. – Sign this petition Denver Needs a queer shelter to show your support!
“Bullies are always outnumbered by the bullied. We just need to organize!” – Ivan Coyote (they/them)
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