Transgender St. Louisans say area shelters aren’t abiding by federal housing laws

Transgender people are complaining about gender discrimination within some housing shelters in St. Louis and St. Louis County. Transgender people and housing advocates say shelter staff aren’t complying with updated federal housing policies and are denying people shelter because of their gender identity.
Kara Fitzgerald left her St. Louis home in April 2022 for a hotel after leaving an abusive relationship. She called a few shelters across the region and eventually spoke with a staff member at the Women’s Safe House in St. Louis about a place to stay.

“They told me that I had to have bottom surgery in order to have access to their facility,” she said. “I told them that was illegal, and they responded with ‘Well, we don't take men.’”