Today, I got a call from a school counselor. She had a student who was being kicked out of her home because she was transgender. The kid is 18 years old.

I call Victor Hay who runs intake for Covenant House Houston. Here is the basic phone conversation I had:

Me: (explains the situation)

Hay: Yes we do take transgenders, but he would have to program as a male.

Me: Ah, so you would have a certain set of gender stereotypes this youth would have to adhere to in order to access services.

Hay: Well… um. Yah, I guess you could put it that way.

Me: So, if this youth looks like, sounds like and walks like a female and has breasts you would make her sleep with men?

Hay: Well, yes. He would need to be housed with men.

Me: How would you go about ensuring her safety them?

Hay: Well, the same way we go about providing safety for all the kids.

Me: I see. So would you force her to use the restroom with men, shower with men and… how would you protect her against rape?

Hay: Hum… well. It is a matter of policy. All of the Covenant Houses are like this.

Me: Interesting. I know that the Covenant House in California accepts transgenders and houses them with the correct gender. In other words, a male-to-female transgender youth is housed with the females.

Hay: Well, it isn’t supposed to be that way… but each place makes… they might have their own programs that are a little bit different from other locations.

Me: Hum. In any event, so if I refer this person to you, you all will force them to live as a male? It has been my experience that doing that to trans youth is extremely psychologically damaging. How would you address that?

Hay: Well, I don’t… My boss and I have had discussions about this. This is our policy. I mean, can’t you imagine… If we house him with the women… What if he… you know, one night decides that he…. You know.

Me: Wow. I can’t recall ever hearing a case like that anywhere. Ever.

Hay: Well, we have to prevent that…

Me: I understand, but at the same time it seems that your policy seems to be based more on fear than on rational facts. We are talking about someone who has been chemically castrated – their penis does not work.

Hay: Uh, well. We are a Catholic organization… you have to understand. We are against abortion, we…

Me: So, if I am understanding you correctly, you are saying that your policy – a policy that results in child homelessness and/or psychological trauma – is based upon your organizations interpretation of the Bible.

Hay: Well, I wouldn’t put it that way.

Me: I mean, the principles your policy is based on are biblically inspired, right?

Hay: Well, yes. The thing is, this policy comes from New York.

Me: I see.

Hay: Things are changing, but it will take a few years.

Me: Okay. Well, can you refer me to another agency that will help this child?

Hay: Hum. I don’t know of any. Have you tried (names off a few lame references that I know won’t help.)

Me: Well, I appreciate your time. Actually… Would you be willing to advocate for this child. They need help maybe…

Hay: Well, again… these things take time. Really, this policy is set by New York.

Me: I see. Okay. Well, thank you for your time.

Hay: Well, okay.

Me: What was your name again? Could you spell it or me?

Hay: Victor Hay… H-A-Y.

Me: Okay… Thank you. Bye Bye.

I have been at odds with Covenant House since they kicked a girl out in 1999. She later began to work the streets and became HIV+. There was a huge outcry back in 99 against their policy. I personally talked to New York back in 99. New York said that Covenant House Houston should make their facility trans-accessible. Right after that, Covenant House put out a press release affirming their support for TG youth. That quieted all the activists and Covenant House made no changes at all.

Today is the official National TG Day of Remembrance.