As Florida prepares for its second hurricane in weeks, a resurfacing video of a 2023 FEMA webinar features an extensive discussion of the importance of prioritizing equity over practicality. Inside, panelists are seen expressing concerns about the treatment of trans immigrants.
It was first reported new york postthe webinar – the first of two – featured panelists from the public and private sectors discussing the need for “preparedness and mitigation considerations for the LGBTQIA+ community.”
The speakers included members of faith-based organizations, one of whom expressed concern about the treatment of “trans immigrants” in shelters.
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The 2023 webinar on disaster response efforts was hosted by FEMA. (FEMA)
Riley Hurst, a financial management specialist at FEMA, spoke about the concerns that “immigrant trans women” have when seeking shelter, especially faith-based concerns.
October 8, 2024, Federal Emergency Management Agency Headquarters, Washington, DC (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
“There are also concerns about whether the people will trust us.” [and] Places that provide faith-based shelter because of how they have responded in the past. If they were accepted, what would happen in terms of sex and bedrooms and bathrooms?'' Hurst tells the story of two lesbians who had to pretend to be sisters in order to “be put in the same room.'' He cited it as a reference.
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“These are really perplexing issues. And one of the things that I care about within FEMA, and that I'm most proud of about FEMA, is meeting people where they are and trying to help people no matter what the situation is.” FEMA's desire to help,” Hurst said.
These comments clearly irritated Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who criticized FEMA.[hating] Christians. ”
“FEMA Training Director is concerned that faith-based shelters are misgendering ‘immigrant trans women,’” the Georgia Republican posted Friday.
Fox News Digital reached out to FEMA for its response to Greene's comments and its response to criticism that FEMA has refocused its mission in recent years.
FEMA Administrator DeAnne Criswell speaks during a press conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on Thursday, September 26, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Al Drago)
An agency spokesperson previously told Fox News Digital that “misinformation” about FEMA's assistance programs is “adversely impacting our ability to help people.”
“FEMA provides assistance to disaster survivors regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, identity, or background, and we want to encourage as many people as possible to apply for assistance,” the agency said. “The commitment of FEMA and its dedicated public servants to immediately and effectively serve all communities is unwavering, and we will continue to fulfill that mission with integrity and fairness.”
In recent weeks, FEMA has fended off allegations that funds were being diverted to help illegal immigrants amid the border crisis.
“This is wrong. Funds should not be diverted to disaster response,” the agency said. stated in a statement last week. “FEMA's disaster response operations and individual assistance are funded through the Disaster Relief Fund, a fund dedicated to disaster operations. Disaster Relief Fund funds are not diverted to other non-disaster-related activities.”
Meanwhile, Florida is preparing for Hurricane Milton, which regained Category 5 strength on Tuesday, just weeks after deadly Hurricane Helen hit the coastline.
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Fox News obtained a fact sheet on disaster relief compiled by the House Appropriations Committee majority. The report states that FEMA “has sufficient funding in the near term to address immediate needs for both Hurricane Helen and Hurricane Milton.” It also declared that there is “no financial link” between the migrant shelter program and the disaster relief fund. “There is no intermingling of funding between these two programs,” the report said, adding that “the only connection is that both programs are administered by FEMA.”
