Trans, gay evacuees face harassment as waters recede

[kweerwolf]

As Hurricane Katrina’s floodwaters slowly recede in New Orleans, cases of discrimination against gay and transgendered survivors are beginning to surface.

Gay organizations stepped in to help last week after a transsexual evacuee spent five days in jail for using a women’s shower at a Texas shelter and a gay man suffered vandalism of his personal belongings at a shelter in Shreveport, La.

The majority of people experiencing discrimination from relief agencies are transgendered, according to Ann Robison, executive director of the Montrose Counseling Center in Houston.

The non-profit agency, which provides services to those dealing with sexual orientation, gender identity and HIV issues, now offers twice-weekly support groups for the many gay and transgendered hurricane victims relocated to the area.

http://www.southernvoice.com/2005/9-16/news/national/nationalnews_katrina.cfm

[Neocondriac]

1. I'm suprised

that there hasn't been more discussion of these folks. New Orleans has a large transgendered community.

[kweerwolf]

2. There have been some stories, mostly in the LGBT media

The most prominent was about the transgender who was jailed for showering in the women's restroom at the Astrodome.

I think the scope of the massive Katrina evacuation is so large that there are hundreds of stories that aren't being told ... not just of transgender survivors, but all the evacuees.