Where Y’at Magazine: House of Tulip to House Trans and Gender-Nonconforming Individuals
House of Tulip was born as a response to the homelessness crisis in Louisiana that disproportionately affects trans and gender-nonconforming individuals. Drawing on their own experiences, innovative community members came up with the idea of a housing project specifically aimed at trans and gender-nonconforming people who are having difficulties finding a stable living situation. While its primary function will be to house up to 10 people at a time, House of Tulip also plans to serve the community in other ways, which will be largely informed by the people they serve. Through local fundraisers and a widely shared GoFundMe page, the organization recently surpassed its initial fundraising goal of $400,000, which will allow for the purchase of a property and the beginning of renovations.
Co-founder and co-executive director Mariah Moore notes that the organization wasn't inspired by any pre-existing group. In fact, that's part of what makes House of Tulip's work so vital. Because it was developed by and centers the voices of those in the community, House of Tulip is more likely to meet those needs to which more traditional institutions might not be attuned.