House of Tulip: On Life as a Black Trans Woman

This short "Time Magazine" documentary, directed by Cydney Tucker, highlights the work of the House of Tulip, a safe house for trans and gender non-conforming people.

For Black trans women in Louisiana, housing is a means of eliminating violence. Black trans women may face transphobia from their families and be forced out of their homes where they are vulnerable to violence. The House of Tulip provides women with a community, a newfound family and a space of sanctuary.

In the documentary, Mariah Moore, executive director, shares how the murder of China Gibson, a Black trans woman, inspired her activism. Beyond her community organizing work and her work with the House of Tulip, her activism also included running for city council. Although she lost the election, she continues to advocate for Black trans women in elected office. Black trans representation is important, and elected officials should represent everyone.

To be a Black trans woman in America is to contemplate your existence, safety, and reality at all times. Unfortunately, living in my truth equates to increased vulnerability to misogyny, trans violence, just queer violence overall. To feel so beautiful and feel so euphoric and feel so happy like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is me. I'm feeling myself.’ But then having to go out there and navigate that. You almost have to detach yourself from it to not succumb to the weight of it.

SOURCE: Time Magazine • AUTHOR: Cydney Tucker • LAST UPDATED: October 7, 2023