TRANS HOUSING INITIATIVE ST LOUIS
About THISTL
THISTL (Trans Housing Initiative St. Louis) is a trans-led organization committed to tackling systemic injustices in housing that transgender people face in the St. Louis region.
THISTL’s Vision
THISTL’s vision is to build equitable access to shelter, housing, and home-ownership for transgender and gender-expansive humans. We strive to end homelessness and housing instability for trans and gender expansive adults.
THISTL’s Mission
THISTL empowers and advocates for trans and gender-expansive humans’ right to safe and equitable housing.
- We advocate and educate transgender and gender-expansive humans seeking shelter, housing, and home-ownership.
- We train and educate organizations providing shelter and housing to transgender and gender-expansive people.
- We are building a network across organizations to document housing disparities for transgender and gender-expansive folks, confront those disparities, and design solutions by creating new systems or reforming existing systems.
- We facilitate decent, safe housing that is affordable to low-income transgender and gender-expansive humans.
THISTL’s Values
We believe in a housing-first approach to homelessness. Safe and stable housing is the foundation for improving quality of life, and everyone is deserving of that opportunity. We don’t believe people have to prove their worthiness or jump through any hoops in order to deserve housing.
We believe in queer liberation that can only be achieved through solidarity across movements. We resist interlocking systems of oppression and reimagine communities that empower and support everyone. Fighting for racial justice is a vital part of working towards housing equity.
We believe in radical love and acceptance for ourselves and others. We meet each other where we are, because all of us have growth we can do, and all of us have gifts we can offer and needs.
Meet our Board
Maxi Glamour (they/them fae/faer)
Maxi Glamour (they/them fae/faer)
Maxi Glamour (they/them fae/faer)
Maxi Glamour is an internationally known multidisciplinary artist and community organizer based in St. Louis. Their work and platform are centered around discussing sociopolitical issues with an underlying tone of absurdist humor that blends social justice and high fantasy. Through their unique artistic lens, Maxi uses wit and magic to e
Maxi Glamour is an internationally known multidisciplinary artist and community organizer based in St. Louis. Their work and platform are centered around discussing sociopolitical issues with an underlying tone of absurdist humor that blends social justice and high fantasy. Through their unique artistic lens, Maxi uses wit and magic to examine the structural harm of oppression and challenge societal norms.
Charlie Blake (they/them)
Maxi Glamour (they/them fae/faer)
Maxi Glamour (they/them fae/faer)
Charlie a Midwest native who spent many years wandering far and wide before moving to St Louis in 2018. They are an interdisciplinary scientist, an artist, and a banjolele player. They started working on housing issues as a Metro Trans Umbrella Group volunteer. Charlie is very handy with a hammer as well as a spreadsheet and hopes to put these skills to good use through their volunteer work.
Charles Unique (he/they)
Maxi Glamour (they/them fae/faer)
Ilia Silverman (they/them)
Charles can best be described as a gender anarchist who is driven by their passion to dismantle oppressive systems. As a long time resident of Saint Louis, Charles brings a diverse background of experience advocating for the rights of marginalized communities. They currently work as the Eviction Defense Organizer for Homes 4 All St. Lou
Charles can best be described as a gender anarchist who is driven by their passion to dismantle oppressive systems. As a long time resident of Saint Louis, Charles brings a diverse background of experience advocating for the rights of marginalized communities. They currently work as the Eviction Defense Organizer for Homes 4 All St. Louis addressing the immediate needs of tenants facing eviction.
They have three fire signs and are excited to bring that same fiery energy to THISTL.
Ilia Silverman (they/them)
Jenniqual Johnson (she/her)
Ilia Silverman (they/them)
Ilia (eye-lee-uh) is an abolitionist agender human who's been growing their roots in St. Louis since 2018. They are a licensed clinical social worker who believes that safe and affordable housing is a fundamental right and that all evictions are violent. Ilia believes deeply in the power of the community to make a change, especially when tearing down oppressive systems.
Jenniqual Johnson (she/her)
Jenniqual Johnson (she/her)
Jenniqual Johnson (she/her)
Jenniqual "Jai" Johnson, (she/her) is a mom, wife, sister, and soror. She has extensive practical experience as an organizer, community engagement and partnership specialist, human resources officer, community chaplain, grief companion, and death doula. She is a graduate of Eden Theological Seminary, receiving her MAPS degree this past sp
Jenniqual "Jai" Johnson, (she/her) is a mom, wife, sister, and soror. She has extensive practical experience as an organizer, community engagement and partnership specialist, human resources officer, community chaplain, grief companion, and death doula. She is a graduate of Eden Theological Seminary, receiving her MAPS degree this past spring which compliments a Master in Human Resource Management from Webster University, and bachelor's in business administration from Harris-Stowe State University.
Jai is active in the community, also working as a community chaplain at TheT/ BRIC/ Power4STL, volunteering with Potbangerz, serving as executive board secretary of MCU, and board member for both Faith for Justice, and now for THISTL.
Jess Underwood (she/they)
Jenniqual Johnson (she/her)
Jenniqual Johnson (she/her)
After 17 years in the non-profit and public sector, Jess remains committed to mission-driven work that tackles the challenges facing our communities. Their career began with a year of service as an Americorps St. Louis Emergency Response team member, responding to natural disasters and performing conservation projects. That foundation of
After 17 years in the non-profit and public sector, Jess remains committed to mission-driven work that tackles the challenges facing our communities. Their career began with a year of service as an Americorps St. Louis Emergency Response team member, responding to natural disasters and performing conservation projects. That foundation of service led to roles supporting the arts, affordable housing, mental health, the environment, other and grassroots advocacy. They do their best to ensure that the voices of people who have been marginalized guide the strategy and execution of work that honors their lived experiences. When they aren’t working, Jess is out paddling, hiking, working in their garden, or building something.
Meet our staff
Executive Director: Beth Gombos (they/them)
Executive Director: Beth Gombos (they/them)
Executive Director: Beth Gombos (they/them)
Beth has been involved in uplifting the transgender community since 2013. They graduated with a BFA in Cultural Anthropology from SIU Edwardsville in 2016. They are transgender, and genderqueer, and have been growing their community development skills for over 15 years. They are as handy with tools as they are with community outreach. Beth has worked at the Trans Queer Flat, the Metro Trans Umbrella Group, and the Equal Housing Opportunity Council.
Program Coordinator: Ashton (she/her)
Executive Director: Beth Gombos (they/them)
Executive Director: Beth Gombos (they/them)
Ashton Otte is a Missouri native who has been involved in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights for many years, both personally since childhood and in her professional career since 2020. Notable steps in her journey include work as Patient Navigator for Planned Parenthood Great Rivers offering wrap around case management for patients seeking Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT) in collaboration with the Metro Trans Umbrella Group.
Her passionate belief in transgender equality & self determination brought Ashton to THISTL where she aims to make an impact while also knowing just when to break the tension with a laugh.
FInancials
Transparency
Our 990 and other budget insight is available free via Candid. THISTL has earned a platinum seal of transparency from Guidestar. You can learn more by visiting our profile.
We are a 501(c)3 registered organization: EIN: 87-1008250