Transcript:
When Hurricane Harvey hit the Houston area in 2017, part of Cristan Williams' roof fell into trouble.
During that time, Houston’s close-knit trans communities depended on each other, Williams, co-founder of the Transgender Foundation in America.
Williams: “We kind of checked each other…because one person is flooding and the other has no power.”
Recovering from disasters can be particularly difficult for trans people.
Those with non-traditional family structures may have difficulty getting relief assistance. Transgender people may feel unsafe to go to shelter where they cannot use a bathroom that matches their gender identity. And they may have a hard time getting gender-affirming mental health support.
Williams: “If you can imagine surviving a natural disaster, maybe losing your home, and most importantly, dealing with all these systemic obstacles, it would be very difficult.”
To help people across the country, her team created the Trans Disaster Fund. It offers approximately $1,000 in grants for housing or other pressing needs.
As climate disasters become more common, Williams urges transgender people to contact her group or others in vulnerable situations to seek support and assistance.
Report Credit: Sarah Kennedy/Chavobart Digital Media
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