6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS LGBTQ+ A tale of two shelters ROBBIE FEBRUARY Groundcover contributor Imagine being in a situation where you have no home, no place to feel safe, and on top of that, you're facing challenges just because of who you are. This is the reality for many transgender couples experiencing homelessness. We’ll compare how two shelters, the Delonis Center in Ann Arbor and the Salvation Army Safety Dorms in Las Vegas, Nevada, support transgender couples. The Delonis Center: Ann Arbor The Delonis Center is like a big safety net for people without homes in Ann Arbor. It’s run by the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County and offers meals, medical care and help finding permanent housing. They do their best to welcome everyone, but let’s see how they handle the specific needs of transgender couples. Inclusivity and Sensitivity: The Delonis Center aims to be welcoming to all, but imagine being in a place where people don’t quite get your unique struggles. Transgender couples sometimes face discrimination or lack of understanding from staff and other residents. Housing Accommodations: Here’s the tricky part. The Delonis Center has separate sleeping areas for men and women. This can be a big problem for transgender couples because it might mean they have to sleep apart, which isn’t great for their emotional health. Privacy and Safety: Everyone needs to feel safe, especially those who might be more vulnerable to harassment. The Shelter Association tries to provide private rooms for families, but there aren’t always enough to go around. Support Services: While there are case management and medical care, transgender individuals might need more specific help — like counseling for gender dysphoria or hormone therapy. These services are often not available or in short supply. Salvation Army Safety Dorms: Las Vegas, Nevada Now, let’s travel to Las Vegas. The Salvation Army has set up special Safety Dorms for LGBTQ+ individuals, including transgender people. They’ve created a space specifically designed to be safe and supportive for this Lynnie and Sean community. Inclusivity and Sensitivity: The Safety Dorms are all about inclusivity. The staff here are trained to understand the unique challenges faced by transgender individuals and couples. This creates a much more welcoming environment. Housing Accommodations: Unlike the binary setup at the Delonis Center, the Safety Dorms offer flexible housing arrangements. This means transgender couples can stay together, which is super important for their well-being. Privacy and Safety: Privacy and safety are top priorities here. With private rooms and secure facilities, transgender residents can feel protected from harassment and violence. Support Services: The Safety Dorms go above and beyond with specialized support services. They offer medical care, counseling, and even legal assistance tailored to the needs of transindividuals. This kind of gender comprehensive support is crucial for helping them rebuild their lives. Lynnie and Sean: a transgender couple at the Delonis Center Meet Lynnie and Sean, a couple who found themselves at the Delonis Center in November 2023. Because of the gender-segregated sleeping areas, see SHELTER page 8 JUNE 14, 2024 Vote for your favorite photo and view submissions to the other three media categories online at linktr.ee/ groundcovernews Voting closes August 5! Mike Jones Cindy Gere Joe Woods Norma Jean Cisneros Hosea Hill
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