Ceyenne Doroshow and Kayla Gore may not have known each other growing up, but their work as adults has bound them together in an irreversible manner. Through their respective organizations, the Gays and Lesbians Living in a Transgender Society and My Sistah's House, the two have worked tirelessly to end homelessness among Black transgender women.
Three years ago, the Human Rights Campaign reported that 41% of Black transgender people experienced homelessness at some point in their lives. Furthermore, the campaign reported that one in ten transgender people have been evicted from their homes at some point because of their gender identity. Having experienced the pain of being rejected from your home because of her gender identity, Ceyenne Doroshow founded the Gays and Lesbians Living in a Transgender Society to provide a safe space for those experiencing the same type of pain.
Through her organization, she opened up the G.L.I.T.S. house in New York, New York. It is the first Black transgender-owned living space in the city.
"I can create within my own realm, I can be governed by my choices and my dream which is to take care of people," Doroshow told Kiara Brantley-Jones of ABC News.
"I want to make sure people can grow, and they can be educated, and they can get all the love and power."
Much like Doroshow, Gore is also working to close the housing gap for Black transgender women. Leading her nonprofit, My Sistah's House, she has raised $300,000 and opened more than a dozen living spaces.
"Once you provide housing for someone and space for them to dwell and thrive, it eradicates a lot of things in their lives," Gore said.
"Housing is a human right."
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