Denver: Immigrants arriving in the United States are currently facing numerous challenges. However, for two Venezuelan women who now reside in Denver and are also members of the LGBTQ+ community, their struggles are compounded.
The two women, whom we are referring to as “Ana” and “Viv,” are both transgender. They shared that they first met at a shelter two weeks ago.
Ana and Viv mentioned that after realizing they shared many experiences, their friendship quickly deepened.
In Spanish, Ana told Denver7, “We have developed a tremendous friendship. We support each other in any way we can.”
To protect their safety, as those closest to the trans community have requested, we are keeping their real names and identities confidential, despite the United States being more accepting of them.
Both left their home countries in search of a better future, but especially to feel safer.
“If you watch the news, you’ll see that there are many cases of trans women being killed in Venezuela. There’s so much discrimination, and officials and the government don’t protect us,” Ana said in Spanish.
She informed Denver7 that there are also limited job opportunities.
“The only jobs the world offers trans women are in prostitution or working at a hair salon,” said Ana.
Denver residents Aimee Van Ausdall and Jenny Wynn claimed to have met the women through a local Facebook group and have been helping them ever since.
“Transgender people, and transgender women in particular, are at a great deal of risk in Venezuela. And so, they actually came here seeking a better life,” Van Ausdall said.
However, there are still concerns about their safety.
“There are many people who don’t like just one of those identities, including trans people, people of color, immigrants, and newcomers. Therefore, having them intersect in various ways makes them more vulnerable,” Wynn stated. “They are in a very precarious position with their identities because, if they can’t find housing, I do worry that bad things could happen.”
The two women are currently receiving assistance in finding housing from Wynn, Van Ausdall, and other community members and organizations like It Takes A Village.
They are raising funds for a security deposit and to help pay for rent and food in order to find them safe housing by February.
Ana and Viv expressed gratitude for everyone’s support, especially for bridging gaps.
“We have developed a lovely friendship,” Viv said.
“It takes a village,” according to those helping the women.
“They essentially only have each other right now. And some of us are helping, but each other is really all they have,” Wynn added.
Although both women have been receiving assistance with housing separately, both locations are running out of time.
To help them move into an apartment in the following month, their friends have started a GoFundMe.
After immigrating to the US, transgender Venezuelan women face unique challenges.
