Action: SRLP’s Shelter Organizing Team is calling on our communities to help us participate in a direct action on Halloween to let DHS know that TGNC people are unsafe and continue to experience violence in the shelter system. We will not let them forget about it.
When: Halloween Day, 10/31 from noon onward throughout the day and into the evening (remotely) we will be emailing, calling, faxing, and using social media to haunt DHS and bring awareness to our community safety concerns with DHS.
Where: You can support from anywhere! If you want to come to SRLP (147 W. 24th Street 5th floor) from 12-6pm today ask for Grace or Stephanie who can help you call or email from our office.
Tactic: What does haunting DHS mean? Haunting is a tactic in which you follow or ‘haunt’ a target of your organizing work in order to let them know about your cause. We are using Halloween to confront DHS with the frightening conditions faced by our folks daily.
Phone Script:
The Office of the Ombudsman can be reached by phone at 800-994-6494. Calls are answered Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
(212) 361 8000 – DHS Main Number : PLEASE NOTE it will give you options please PRESS 1 for Shelter and then it will bring you to another set of options (click any option you want to) PRESS 1 for family shelter PRESS 2 for single women’s shelter PRES 3 for single men’s shelter)
Hi this is ____________________ (insert your name). I’m calling to let you know about the horrors TGNC people are facing while at DHS shelters across NYC. Please share this message with Commissioner Banks.
Throughout the shelter system, TGNC residents face transphobia from staff and other residents. There is lack of understanding of existing protections for TGNC people, including culturally competent language. The current staff trainings are ineffective, the grievance process doesn’t work, and DHS is not doing enough to help TGNC people. DHS’s own exiting policy is not effective in moving TGNC people out of the shelters and into sustainable housing.
(Share your experience if you are a TGNC person who has navigated the shelter.)
TGNC people are a vulnerable population because we face discrimination, family rejection, housing discrimination, misgendering and violence and therefore are at increased risk for homelessness.
DHS, we won’t let you forget about the homeless transgender people facing violence in your shelters. Happy Halloween.
Email Script:
Go to www.NYC.gov/DHS and e-mail the Administrative Office from the website directly:
Dear Commissioner Banks,
I’m e-mailing you to let you know about the horrors TGNC people are facing while at DHS shelters across NYC.
TGNC people are a vulnerable population because they discrimination, family rejection, housing discrimination, misgendering and violence and therefore are at increased risk for homelessness.
Throughout the shelter system, TGNC residents face transphobia from staff and other residents. There is lack of understanding of existing protections for TGNC people, including culturally competent language. The current staff trainings are ineffective, the grievance process doesn’t work, and DHS is not doing enough to help TGNC people. DHS’s own exiting policy is not effective in moving TGNCI people out of the shelters and into sustainable housing.
(Share your experience if you are a TGNC person who has navigated the shelter if you are comfortable.)
TGNC folks are not safe in the DHS Shelter system.
We won’t let you forget about the homeless trans people facing violence in your shelters.
Happy Halloween.
Sincerely,
________________________________
On Social Media:
@NYCHRA
DHS is a nightmare for TGNC folks, house us now! #hauntDHS #houseusnow #TGNCNYC
DHS we won’t let you forget about the horrors TGNC folks face every day in the NYC shelter system. #hauntDHS #houseusnow #TGNCNYC
Use the hashtags #hauntDHS #houseusnow #TGNCNYC
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