Fuel to the Fire – Building Ripple Hauxs in the Face of Adversity

The Barriers That Built Us

For Black, Brown, and trans folks in Florida, 2023 and 2024 weren’t just challenging—they were traumatic. From sweeping anti-trans healthcare bans to school censorship and criminalization of community organizing, we have seen targeted efforts to erase our narratives and restrict our futures.

We’ve watched clinics close their doors with less than 30 days’ notice. We’ve seen trans youth lose access to vital care. We’ve supported peers forced to flee the state in search of safety. And we’ve done it all while navigating homelessness, underfunded mutual aid, and the heavy emotional labor of just being seen as human.

These aren’t just political obstacles. They are intimate, daily threats to our lives. And still—we press forward.

Turning Crisis Into Commitment

Each door slammed in our face became a blueprint for the kind of door we would open for others. Each policy that tried to silence us reminded us of how loud our collective voice can be. Each personal loss we carried became a vow to never let another person fall through the cracks if we could help it.

Ripple Hauxs is not only our response to the chaos—it is our resistance to it. It is what happens when trans people refuse to let fear stop our future. What started as a whisper between friends is now a movement to create a physical space for healing, organizing, movement, and rebirth. A converted house-warehouse hybrid where we offer fitness equipment, a gender-affirming care closet, art studios, emergency housing support, and above all—a place to exhale.

Networks Are Our Power

And we haven’t done this alone. Every dollar donated, every volunteer hour, every organization that has shared resources or simply said “we see you”—it all matters. In these hostile times, connection is our greatest strength. The more we network, the more we realize we’re not just building a safe space—we’re building a safety net.

From Central Florida to national partners, we are laying the groundwork for sustainable, interconnected support. Not just for today, but for the generations of trans youth and elders who will inherit the space we create.

The Fire is Ours Now

This political moment tried to break us. Instead, it sharpened our purpose. Ripple Hauxs is not just a shelter from the fire—it is what rises from the flames.

We are trans-led. We are BIPOC-rooted. We are volunteer-powered. And we are becoming something too strong to be erased. Every bill, every barrier, every injustice—they became bricks. And with them, we’re building a house. A house that ripples.

If you feel the fire too—don’t just stand by. Join us. Donate. Share. Build. Because this isn’t just about surviving anymore. It’s about finally coming home.