_______________________________________________________________________________________JUNE 13, 2008
JUStOUt I 17
Gorge-ousSpaGetaway
In defense of the
shelter’s actions, Mc
Farland
reportedly
argued that because it
received federal mon
ey under the Violence
Against Women Act,
it could only provide
housing for women.
“The
Violence
Against
Women
Act was amended
in 2005,” BOL1 re-
sponded. “The act
(now) states, ‘Nothing
in this title shall be
construed to prohibit
male victims of do
mestic violence, dat
ing violence, sexual
assault and stalking
from receiving bene
fits and services under
this title.’ ”
Seattle
lawyer
Spenser
Bergstedt,
author of 1997’s
Lee (Lisa) lacuzzi, who identifies as bi-gendered, shed light on Bradley-
TransLegalities, who
Angle House's failure to accommodate transgender people.
reviewed the deci
sion, says: “The de
termination of B0L1 is that a [Portland] shelter
he identified?” Burgess says. “The sole purpose
cannot limit its services to only those who identify
around self-identification is so that we address
as female. Doing so violates Multnomah County
them properly, as they see themselves and as they
and city of Portland ordinances.”
want to he perceived.”
Being forced to accept men may be the outcome
The shelter’s open admission policy was al
that Bradley-Angle administrators fear most.
ready in place when Burgess joined the center in
After declining multiple interview requests,
2006. She says she embraced it: “1 thought that
McFarland wrote in a June 2 e-mail to Just Out:
was the right thing to do, and staff thought it was
“We are committed to diversity and to providing, the right thing to do.”
appropriate services for all individuals who are
Recognizing its staff limitations, the center
victims of domestic violence. At this time, we
took a proactive approach, bringing in Portland’s
are unable to comment on the specific facts of TransActive Education & Advocacy for training
this matter, especially given that the allegations and relying on co-case management for additional
against Bradley-Angle House may impact a larger support. The center has had clients self-identify as
scope than just our organization—and could af transgender and has had no problem integrating
fect the county’s provision of domestic violence
trans individuals into the co-ed shelter.
services. However, we again reiterate that there
“We can’t do everything, but we do think that
is no merit to Lee/Lisa lacuzzi’s allegations that
we have a strong enough and healthy enough
Bradley-Angle House discriminated against him/ understanding to be able to provide a...shelter
her in any way.”
environment that will allow for an appropriate
BOLI submitted the issue to formal concili stay and will respect the individuals that come in
ation process, where Ellis says he’s hopeful that
{from] our community.”
Bradley-Angle’s policies can be examined and
A cautiously optimistic Weedman offers:
revamped.
“Hopefully people can look at this 1B0LI deter
“There [are] shelters who have done different
mination! as not a bad thing. [It’s] an opportu
things,” acknowledges Weedman. “For example,
nity to look at the system and put policies into
Outside In—in their shelters, they ask you how you
place and create places that are safe for trans
identify and where you’d feel most comfortable.”
gender individuals.”
Sarah McDowell, director of programs and
With resources like the NGLTF report and
services at Portland’s Rafael House, says her agen nearby examples like Monika’s House, support
ers say there’s the potential for Bradley-Angle to
cy doesn’t even ask about gender on intake forms.
Still, she admits, “We have, as of yet, not had to
rectify its women-centric heritage with a trans
fully address [the transgender] issue.”
positive future and reclaim its mantle as a cutting-
For a local example of how shelters can be edge, queer-friendly shelter.
This is Ellis’ hope as well. “1 see this as a real
trans-inclusive, one need look no further than
opportunity to have an interesting, complicated
Washington County’s Monika’s House.
“Our policy is to serve any adult or child vic and nuanced conversation. Let’s work together to
make sure it doesn’t (happen again). Let’s make
tim or survivor of domestic violence,” says Donna
Portland the place we all want it to be.” ©
Burgess, executive director of the Domestic Vio
lence Resource Center, which runs Monika’s.
“Gender identification...is really not an issue.”
Its intake forms ask, “How do you want to
Trans author J acob A nderson -M inshall writ«
the weekly column “TransNation."
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