Horizons Community Services recently released a sixth full-time employee, Josephine Christopher, one of the agency's few transgender staff members. But according to Executive Director Frank Oldham Jr., the move has nothing to do with Horizons' commitment to serving the transgender community.
"Josephine [ Christopher ] brings a lot of passion and talent in her advocacy role for the transgender community," Oldham said. "But her position with us was as a bookkeeper. We had considered releasing her in the first wave of lay-offs, but tried to keep her with us. Unfortunately, it became apparent that letting her go, in terms of administrative concerns and the agency overall, was the fiscally responsible thing to do."
Oldham said he would like to see Christopher return in a different capacity to Horizons in the future...once they secure funding for a program specifically designed to address the needs of the transgender community.
"Transgender support programs are already included in our program assessment and strategic plan," he said. "But we still need to do more development of the program before it comes on line. As we speak, there is a grant proposal for which we are waiting a reply."
DaVon Anderson currently works with a volunteer-supported group for transgender individuals at Horizons. And she is working to develop a program for Horizons...something she previously did for another city agency...MOIP.
"It's necessary to bring a positive light to the transgender community and to let people know we are humans...we want to live human lives and want to have more options than being a show girl or a prostitute," Anderson said.