The Trans Women of Color Solidarity Network (TWOCSN) has acquired a permanent home for “House of Constance”, in partnership with Seattle Mennonite Church and the Church Council of Greater Seattle’s Faith Land Initiative.
TWOCSN’s “House of Constance” program will provide housing and services for 8-10 Black trans women and femmes in a historic 8-bedroom house on Capitol Hill. The house will also serve as a “dedicated community space for kickbacks, growing things, gender affirming healthcare, mutual aid pantries and more.” The program is named in loving memory Constance Blakeley, Core Organizer of TWOCSN who passed away at the age of 27 years old on October 2, 2020.
In July 2022, Seattle Mennonite Church (SMC) voted to transfer, and subsequently transferred, ownership of the property to TWOCSN for this purpose. This decision is made possible after several years of internal discernment work around faithful land stewardship by SMC, and a nearly year-long accompaniment process with CCGS Faith Land Initiative organizers. After deep listening, learning, and reflection, SMC voted to live out their central values of equity, accountability, love, and justice by resourcing TWOCSN’s vision for House of Constance in this sustainable way.
CCGS is honored to be part of this journey with SMC and TWOCSN, and to continue supporting faith communities in discerning equitable land stewardship in King County.
We plan to share much more about the House of Constance and the journey that brought SMC, TWOCSN, and CCGS together in collective power, bringing to life our shared vision for a future when justice is realized. Thank you to every person and community making it possible for House of Constance to come home!
Support the vision: Renovations are beginning to increase accessibility, safety, and livable space. Find out here how you can be part of giving the House of Constance the TLC needed to house and nourish our community for many years to come.
You can directly support TWOCSN’s overall operations here: https://afgj.salsalabs.org/twocsn/index.html
Read TWOCSN’s announcement on Instagram here.
