Mayor Michelle Wu recently announced that the City of Boston will provide grants to support community organizations catering to those who identify as transgender and nonbinary in Boston.
The Transgender Emergency Fund will receive $350,000 from the city’s federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, $250,000 from the Mayor’s Office of Housing, and $100,000 from the Boston Public Health Commission for its transitional housing program, according to a press release from the mayor’s office. That’s a total of $700,000.
Additionally, the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement will provide $25,000 to the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition to facilitate legal name and gender marker changes.
“We are thrilled to partner with two of Massachusetts’s leading organizations to expand access to transitional housing and legal name change assistance for trans and nonbinary residents,” Wu said in the press release. “As we continue our work to ensure Boston is a city for everyone, these resources will enhance crucial services, remove barriers, and empower community members across Boston’s neighborhoods.”
The grant awarded to the Transgender Emergency Fund will specifically support its Transitional Housing program, which caters to those who identify as transgender.
Since its inception in May 2022, the program has housed 21 people; 11 of them securing permanent housing. Participants in the program get rent-free accommodations for up to one year, along with access to employment opportunities, health care services, and what the program calls gender-affirming programming, the press release said. The program also offers round-the-clock staff support, guest accommodations, and connections to so-called gender-affirming health care and workshops.
The grant from the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement to the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition will bolster existing initiatives such as the Identity Document Assistance Network and the REACH Financial Assistance Program.
“MTPC’s Identity Document Assistance Network (IDA Network) provides guidance, support, and financial assistance for trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive people living in New England who are seeking to update their legal name and/or gender on federal and state documents,” MTPC’s web site says. “Not everyone needs an attorney’s assistance in this process, but it can still be very overwhelming and complicated so we’re here to help! While MTPC does not currently provide legal representation or legal counsel, we will refer you to an appropriate legal resource if necessary.”
Meanwhile, the REACH Financial Assistant Program provides poor people who identify as transgender with money for the following, according to the organization’s web site:
Basic Needs: Essential expenses such as food, rental assistance, undergarments, hygiene and sanitary products, utilities, and transportation. Medical Expenses: Urgent medical bills, medications, medical equipment, and transportation to/from appointments. Mental Health Support: Counseling or therapy services for individuals experiencing emotional distress or trauma. Disaster Recovery: Assistance for community members affected by unexpected disasters, including recovery costs or essential supplies. Other Urgent Needs: Assistance with unforeseen emergency expenses.
The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition is the only organization in Massachusetts providing legal name and gender marker change services on a large scale, including name change clinics, one-on-one support, legal assistance, and financial aid, the press release said.
The funding will help th Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition expand its services, including legal clinics and emergency grants for residents facing financial trouble.
“Ensuring the accessibility of these critical services aligns with our commitment to equitable practices,” Chief of Equity and Inclusion of the Boston mayor’s office Mariangely Solis Cervera said in the press release. “By removing barriers and providing support to transgender and nonbinary individuals, we contribute to building a more just and inclusive Boston for everyone.”
Wu’s office could not be reached for comment on Sunday or Monday. Nor could the Transgender Emergency Fund or the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition.
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