New York City promised to build a shelter for trans people. Activists are demanding it follow through

Transgender and gender nonconforming New Yorkers are demanding that their city keep its promise to build a homeless shelter for the community.

The Strategic Trans Alliance for Radical Reform (S.T.A.R.R.) held a rally Friday in Foley Square to put pressure on New York City officials to follow their 2021 agreement to construct four shelters for transgender and gender nonconforming people. Executive Director Mariah Lopez told News 12 New York that the agreement was part of a settlement that required the city to construct the shelters, as well as train staff to adhere to a nondiscrimination policy.

Per the settlement, the shelters should have been completed two years ago, but Lopez claimed the agreement has not been honored by Mayor Eric Adams, saying: "Since taking office, Mayor Adams' administration has ignored all commitments made by the prior administration in black and white."

Many transgender individuals spoke at the rally about their own experiences being turned away from or discriminated against at other housing centers for their gender identity. Somayah Haskins said via the station that "there were plenty of nights we went back to the Department of Social Services, and they told us there was nothing they could do, so we had to sleep outside in our vehicle."

A spokesperson with the Department of Social Services told the outlet that it is "committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for every LGBTQIA+ New Yorker who comes to us in need of shelter," and that it "has set aside dedicated units in existing shelter facilities across the city to provide safe and affirming shelter for transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) clients, in compliance with this settlement.”

"Over the last several years, we have taken deliberate and proactive steps to create a more inclusive shelter system and we continue to work diligently to strengthen protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals and provide comprehensive, trauma-informed supports and services to this population," the spokesperson said.

LGB adults are twice as likely as their straight peers to experience homelessness in their lifetime, according to the Williams Institute, with the majority experiencing homelessness for the first time as an adult. Among LGBTQ+ youth, the Trevor Project found that 28 percent have experienced homelessness or housing instability at some point in their lives.