Transgender individuals utilizing shelters in Pinellas County that use federal funding will be better protected, now that the Sheriff’s Office has approved new policies.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, which runs several of the shelters, and the Pinellas Homeless Leadership Board have both updated their respective policies in a move to protect and extend a hand to transgender residents of the county.
According to a release from the Homeless Leadership Board, any shelter that receives federal funding through the organization are now required to ensure the safety and privacy for transgender people by “providing, among other things, separate shower and police facilities away from the general population and addressing them by whichever gender pronoun they prefer.”
The board of the HLB will offer training to its employees and volunteers to ensure the new policies are followed.
The Sheriff’s Office will follow similar guidelines, and the changes have been lauded by Trans*Action Florida, an advocacy group for transgender rights throughout Florida.
The updated policies from the sheriff’s office require that all transgendered individuals who meet the shelter’s admission criteria will be accepted and under no circumstances denied access based on their gender identity; provide transgendered individuals a separate living area inside the facility but away from residents living in the four established “common” areas. This may include unused office space or a common area blocked off via a portable barrier; transgendered residents may access indoor showers and restrooms upon request and with staff assistance. Outdoor portable toilets are available at all times for individuals not housed in the four “common” areas; staff will display the same respect and courtesy to transgendered individuals as they do all other program residents, and ensure a safe environment; and residents are expected to follow rules.
According to the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, nearly 16% of Florida respondents had experienced homelessness as a direct result of their gender identity. On a national level, that number is 19%. More than half had been harassed by shelter staff and many others were turned away from assistance, according to the study.
Other changes in policy from the Homeless Leadership Board requires that its shelters maintain at least one private bathroom or shower facility and to “make every effort” to provide alternatives if space is an issue. It also requires that case managers conduct interviews in private interviews to maintain confidentiality and that adequate security is provided for those at-risk for bullying based on their gender identity.
