Food

Many in our community are struggling to stay fed and housed amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Gender Justice League wants to remind you that it is okay to ask for help.

For more information on local food assistance, see:

• Seattle & King County Interactive Food Resource Map
• Currently Open WA Food Banks and Meal Programs
• WA State’s Food & Housing Assistance Page
• For Black trans people, WA Black Trans Task Force provides rental, housing, food, health, and other supports.

Housing

Housing is a human right! The statewide moratorium (through March 31) means your landlord legally cannot serve you an eviction notice or charge you late fees for your inability to pay rent. More information on this here. If you are currently facing eviction, learn your rights and get help here.

GJL’s Safe House program offers temporary housing and financial assistance for people in Seattle who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or exploitation in the sex trade. Priority is given to trans and gender diverse people and BIPOC.

For more housing resources, see:

• WA State’s Food & Housing Assistance Page
• National Low Income Housing Coalition’s Database of Available Rental Assistance 
• Eviction Rent Assistance
• Youth & Young Adult Eviction Rent Assistance 
• For Black trans people, WA Black Trans Task Force provides rental, housing, food, health, and other supports.

Healthcare

• GALAP is a group of trans and allied mental health clinicians in the U.S. who believe in improving access to letters for clients who are seeking gender-affirming medical care. See a list of providers here who are committed to making letters required by medical systems accessible and free. 
• FolxHealth provides HRT and PReP shipped right to you, and plans include expert 1-1 telehealth visits, unlimited messaging with your care team, an option to add at-home lab kids, automated prescription refills and lab reminders, and letters for document name change, all with no insurance necessary (priced like a co-pay). 
• Guide on your rights in healthcare, insurance coverage, and what to do if you face discrimination by National Center for Transgender Equality.

• Guide to getting trans healthcare covered by National Center for Transgender Equality. 
• No health insurance? Visit WaHealthPlanFinder.org or download the mobile app for WAPlanFinder to get covered.
• Undocumented? If you have been exposed to or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, your medical care is covered by state law. Click here for a list of nationwide resources for undocumented communities.
• Need an interpreter for appointments? Medicaid offers free language access services whenever you attend an appointment. Let your provider know in advance, and they will schedule one through Health Care Authority’s (HCA) interpreter services.
• For trans & gender diverse Pacific Islanders, UTOPIA WA can support you in accessing trans health services, housing and more. They also provide support groups and assistance for Pacific Islanders in the sex industry, providing testing kits, HIV prevention and screening, contraceptives, and other important healthcare resources. UTOPIA WA is also experienced in connecting QTPI to healthcare resources like insurance and preventative care to address health disparities.
• For Black trans people, WA Black Trans Task Force provides rental, housing, food, health, and other support. 
• For veterans, the VA Puget Sound Health Care System offers an LGBT Health Program. 
• For legal support around healthcare discrimination, connect with Lavender Rights Project, QLaw, Columbia Legal, Legal Voice, or Northwest Justice Project.

Mental Health

For trans and gender diverse people, and especially communities of color, COVID-19 and its impacts exacerbate our already high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. You are not alone, and it is ok to reach out and ask for help:

• Trans Lifeline, a peer support phone service run by and for trans and non-binary people. They welcome calls at any time, even if you’re not in crisis.
• Connexions (QTPOC) offers space to queer and trans people of color to connect, heal, process, and share resources every Monday from 6-7:30 PM PST.
• TransFamilies Support Groups offer various groups for trans and gender diverse youth, with separate groups for parents of trans youth.
• Pizza Klatch Support Groups provide weekly support for LGBTQ+ youth and allies in Thurston county.
• This Care Package by Transgender Law Centeroffers us much needed moments of stillness, peace, and joy.

Financial Support & Unemployment Benefits

• Gender Justice League’s financial assistance (via the SafeHouse program) is available for trans and gender diverse people in several counties throughout WA State who have experienced gender based violence and houselessness. Priority is given to trans and gender diverse BIPOC.
• Trans Women of Color Solidarity Network offers survival funds to assist trans people of color with financial needs that can range from a meal, car fare, hygiene products, assistance with bill pay, and more.
• WA Black Trans Task Force (WA BTTF) provides resources for Black trans people in Seattle & Tacoma, including direct bill and rent assistance. They have also created a webinar on navigating unemployment during COVID for QTBIPOC.

• Mutual Aid is the radical act of caring for each other while working to change the world (Dean Spade, 2020). Here are some mutual aid groups around WA State to plug into, support, and reach out to for help:
  • Bellingham: @bopmutualaid / BOP Mutual Aid
  • Coast Salish/Duwamish land: @mutualaidbooks / @seattlemutualaidarchive / @covid19mutualaid
  • Everett & Marysville: Mutual Aid – Everett and Marysville, WA
  • Fremont: @fremontma
  • Gig Harbor: @mutualaidgigharbor
  • Olympia: Olympia Mutual Aid Collective
  • Seattle: Emerald City Mutual Aid / Covid19 Mutual Aid – Seattle / Seattle Covid19 Mutual Aid: Food Solidarity / Folx_4_folx / QTBIPOC Clothing Collective
  • Snohomish County: @snocomutualaid / Snohomish County Mutual Aid Group
  • South King County: @skc_e_mutual_aid
  • South King County & Eastside: South King County & Eastside COVID/Coronavirus Mutual Aid GroupSeattle Covid19 Mutual Aid: Food Solidarity 
  • Tacoma: @tacomamutualaid
  • UW Area: @uwmutualaid
  • Whatcom County: @whatcomstudentmutualaid
• Check eligibility & apply online for unemployment benefits and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
• If you need financial support to complete your legal name change, or for support navigating the unemployment benefit process, GJL can help through our SafeHouse program.
• If you are having trouble paying rent, your mortgage, or other loans, the State Department of Financial Institutions has resources to help you.
• Washington Connection offers a fast and easy way for people to apply for a variety of services such as cash, childcare, long-term care, and Medicare Savings Programs. Individuals that are age 65 or older, blind, or disabled, may also apply for medical assistance. 

For Fun!

• Trans Activism Oral History Project
• Digital Trans Archive 
• TransReads