These were the words spoken to me by the HUD compliance representative for the subsidized housing unit I had applied for.
What they require for proof of existence is state issued ID, social security card, your bank information, proof of income and birth certificate.
The only wrench in the machine is my birth certificate, it is in my birth name and gender. So as far as HUD is concerned I'm an undocumented immigrant.
I'm in the process of getting this fixed but Transgender people are the lowest level when it comes to income inequality topping out at:
Median Monthly Income MTF- $744 (range: $55-7,436) FTM- $1,100 (range: $100-6,000)
From the transgenderlaw fact sheet (PDF).
My income is substantially less than that.
But to get stable housing I had to spend over $327.00 to be treated equally,ostensibly.
This did not include the humiliation of not only being referred to my birth name in open court but being forced to post the same information in the courthouse. HIPPA anyone?
Then there was the being outed in the DMV that caused me to begin shaking and nausea. After it was done I began crying, that has passed but I am still shaky.
But having to prove I am who I am is not discrimination.
More after the squiggles.
HUD (PDF) claims they treat us equally:
As the Nation’s housing
agency, HUD administers programs
designed to meet the goal of ensuring
decent housing and suitable living
environment for all. In pursuit of this
goal, it is HUD’s responsibility to ensure
that all who are otherwise eligible to
participate in HUD’s programs have
equal access to these programs and have
the opportunity to compete fairly for
HUD funds without being subject to
arbitrary exclusion.
There is evidence, however, that
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
(LGBT) individuals and families are
being arbitrarily excluded from some
housing opportunities in the private
sector. Through this proposed rule,
HUD strives to ensure that its core
programs are open to all eligible
individuals and families regardless of
sexual orientation or gender identity.
So I would like to know how many undocumented immigrants will use a birth certificate with a different name and gender on it to get housing? How many will claim to be a member of the most socially ostracized group in this culture? You know those that are attacked and laughed at instead of defended?
Yeah I thought so.
This requirement is a clear form of discrimination against Transgender people.