Trans-Women In Homeless Shelters…

Two women complained about trans-women using the homeless shelter…

Transgender clients at women's shelter draw complaints
But officials for Florence House say their policy is to accept people as they present themselves.
Portland Press Hearld
By Joe Lawlor Staff Write
July 15, 2013

PORTLAND - Two women who stay at Florence House, a homeless shelter for women in Portland, have complained that two men who dress as women have also been staying there for the past few months -- using the same common bathrooms, showers and sleeping facilities.

The women say it's unsettling to share a space with people they consider men, although shelter officials say the two people identify as transgender and are therefore allowed to stay.

"I am supposed to be there as a woman with other women," said one of the women, who did not want to be identified for fear of losing her spot at the shelter. She said one of the people in question has stared at her, making her uncomfortable.

OK, so let me get this straight; the trans-women did nothing wrong they just looked at her. They didn’t break any laws or break the shelter rules. They didn’t harass her. They just looked at her funny.

She is uncomfortable so they should be put in a men’s shelter where they can get raped and assaulted. But that is okay because she won’t be uncomfortable anymore.

But the women who complained said they believe that in at least one case, it was a ruse. They believe one of the people in question is a man who occasionally dresses as a woman to get into the shelter, perhaps for voyeuristic reasons. That person did not have any feminine mannerisms and often dresses in a T-shirt and jeans, sporting a 5 o'clock shadow of male facial hair, they said.

"If they're really living as a woman, I think they have every right to be there," said one of the women who complained. "But he wasn't wearing makeup or wearing eyeliner or anything. Just a man wearing a skirt. It was just odd."

So, women, real women wear makeup and never dress in T-shirts and jeans. As for the 5 o’clock shadow… Honey, if you want to give them a couple of thousand dollars for them to have electrolysis or laser treatment, I sure they would be happy to have their beards removed. But since it is unlikely you will give them the money and since they are living in a homeless shelter I doubt very much that they have the money.

One of the women said the shelter is supposed to be a safe haven for women, who in many cases are leaving domestic violence situations.

I can understand her feelings but I think she has to understand that trans-women also can be in an abusive relationship and if they are forced into a men’s shelter then they maybe assaulted there and further victimizing. The article also pointed out that the shelter has individual shower stalls and bathrooms with locks on them.

Residency at shelters should be based on behavior, as long as a person does not break the shelter’s rules they should be allowed to stay there. It shouldn’t be based on feeling uncomfortable.