ABOUT BTL

Black Trans Liberation (BTL) is an HMI award-winning service organization whose mission is to end homelessness and food insecurity within the trans population by providing access and resources from community partners that empower and celebrate the TGNC community. 
Black Trans Liberation is a labor of love grounded on a foundation of solidarity; not charity.
Organize with BTL

“The Kitchen”

Black Trans Liberation Kitchen

According to a recent study from The Trevor Project 40% of LGBTQ+ young people reported a history of food insecurity, houselessness, or unmet basic needs.
TGNB young people had a 77% greater odds of experiencing food insecurity, 73% greater odds of ever having been houseless, and 67% greater odds of having unmet basic needs compared to cisgender LGB young people.
Food insecurity, homelessness, and unmet basic needs were all independently associated with increased likelihood of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts.

Feeding Our People

Black Trans Liberation Kitchen (BTLK) is a branch of BTL. BTLK's primary mission is to feed  young black and brown, transgender and queer New Yorkers. Black Trans Liberation Kitchen serves weekly meals to 250 community members and counting, and is building capacity to maximize meal services as the current federal administration depletes resources and actively cuts this community's lifelines.

We hold a service once a week, every week, for the entire year. 

Since 2020, Black Trans Liberation has served community members, providing meals, workshops, artistic development and resources to alleviate housing insecurity. The fellowship at BTL significantly improves the wellness and mental health of people impacted by systemic oppression and deeply rooted marginalization. 

In the process of weekly fellowship, we feed approximately 15,000 people a year.

Pay It Forward

Frequently

Asked

Questions

  • Black Trans Liberation Kitchen (BTLK) lives under the umbrella of Black Trans Liberation.

  • TGNC people comprise individuals of varied identity labels, including, but not limited to transgender, gender nonconforming, nonbinary, gender fluid, genderqueer, or gender expansive. A TGNC-identified person's gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth and/or exists beyond the gender binary.

    (SOURCE: National LGBT Health Education Center.)

  • FAQ: While BTLK finds its focus on providing resources for Black Trans people living in New York City, were are not limited to this community in terms of service. Many of our community members are Black, queer, housing insecure, or simply looking for a warm meal and a friendly face. BTLK is for everyone, so long as those whom we serve are for the liberation of Black Trans people here and everyone.