Casa Cecilia: NYC’s Bright New Beacon for Trans and Gender-Expansive Youth

In a city that prides itself on being a mosaic of identities, New York just added a bold new tile to its LGBTQ+ mural: Casa Cecilia. This brand-new residence, launched by the Ali Forney Center, is the first of its kind in the region—a dedicated, affirming home for transgender and gender-expansive young adults in search of stability, safety, and, most importantly, community.

Set in the heart of NYC, Casa Cecilia isn’t just a place to sleep. It’s a promise that every trans, nonbinary, or gender-nonconforming young person seeking refuge can find more than four walls—they can find chosen family, validation, and a springboard for the future .

Let’s be real: the stakes for trans and gender-expansive youth in America have never been higher. Reports of housing insecurity, violence, and discrimination are rampant, and for many, even walking into a shelter can be fraught with danger or rejection. The Ali Forney Center, long a frontline defender for queer youth, knows this firsthand. Their new Casa Cecilia is an answer to this crisis—a direct, radiant counterpunch to the chilling headlines and mounting legislative attacks targeting transgender people nationally .

The Center’s CEO, Alex Roque, called the launch “a testament to what’s possible when a community comes together to say, ‘You deserve to be safe, celebrated, and seen.’” . It’s a sentiment that echoes throughout Casa Cecilia’s halls—this isn’t charity, it’s justice.

What sets Casa Cecilia apart isn’t just its rainbow-hued welcome mat or its chic, youth-driven decor. The home’s very design was shaped by the voices of trans and gender-expansive youth themselves, with input on everything from common room layouts to safety protocols. “We wanted it to feel like ours from the start,” shared one resident, who described moving in as “the first time I’ve felt ownership over my own space” .

Staff at Casa Cecilia understand that affirmation is as vital as a roof. Residents have access to resources tailored to their needs—gender-affirming care referrals, mental health support, career counseling, and cultural programming that celebrates trans and nonbinary brilliance. “It’s not just about surviving. It’s about thriving, about seeing yourself in every corner of your world,” said a youth advocate at the opening ceremony .

Casa Cecilia doesn’t stand alone—it’s part of a growing movement to reimagine what queer housing can and should be. With LGBTQ+ rights under siege in many places, New York’s investment in Casa Cecilia sends a defiant message: trans youth belong, and their futures matter. The hope is that Casa Cecilia’s model—community-driven, intentionally inclusive, and resolutely optimistic—will inspire similar projects across the country.

For now, the residents of Casa Cecilia are settling in, decorating their rooms with pride flags and affirmations, and forging the kind of bonds that make “chosen family” more than a hashtag. As one new resident put it, “Here, I’m not just surviving. I’m finally living.”

In a world where home can feel out of reach for so many queer youth, Casa Cecilia’s open doors are more than a welcome—they’re a revolution.