According to Alfred Kinsey, 10% of the world adult population identifies themselves as LGBT+, approximately 9 million people in México. As INEGI* indicates, 1 million of them are elder and 43% of them are in a situation of multidimensional poverty. This means that 433,000 elder LGBT+ people, 3,166 transgender women, are in a situation of risk According with The federal heath system.

Thanks to the fight that generations, and striving individuals such as Samantha, have put in favor of transgender women and LGBT+ rights, nowadays, in some cities among this country people are more open minded and tolerant. However, gender-based violence and discrimination due to sexual diversity are still daily problems in our society. Various organizations have reported that, because of this, Mexico occupies the 2nd place in the world in crimes attributable to gender violence and homofobia (Letra S Sida, Cultura y Vida Cotidiana; Revista Proceso).

There are no guarantees to live a better life for all those who fought for sexual diversity in the 60’s and 70’s and now integrate the elder LGBT+ community; no medical attention or financial security; no sense of belonging to a community or a family that makes them feel proud to live with dignity.

* INEGI Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (National Institute of Statistics, Geography and Informatics).

We helped Samantha Flores and her Laetus Vitae Foundation to spread their voice in a different way.

Turning away from monotonous pleads, we transformed the whole discourse into a positive and engaging message.

Paying tribute to their colorful and energetic youthness.

With no investment, our message reached out and was commented around the globe through social media.

People engaged in donations and conversations which set Mexico in the spotlight.Even specialized magazines, bloggers and celebrities joined the cause with several activities such as concerts, exhibitions and fund raisers.

We estimate 10,180,000 views of the original video campaign launched from different media, 71,600 interactions and 1,800 donors.

People are expressing their empathy to this noble cause, not only by commenting in social media and donating, but also volunteering. More than 30 people are being part of this movement; they will make the shelter come true and grow it with practically no investment.

This project is a pilot that works as precedent like the first free shelter for the Elder Transgender women and LGBT+ community in Latin America to replicate globally.

Our goal is to be loud and mainly create impact in Mexico to make the elder transgender and LGBT+ community visible, to make that more than 10 million people of the new generation realize how they imagine their future will be like. Besides, we want the whole society to be conscious of this situation and how it negatively impacts the entire world. We need to change the way we interact with this vulnerable sector.

The first measurable objective for us: to gather $400,000 Mexican pesos (about US$ 22,000 dollars) that will allow us run the first free shelter for the Elder LGBT+ community in Latin America.

When people grow older, they become unnoticed. When transgender people grow older, they become invisible.

Samantha Flores is a 85 years old transgender woman who has been dedicated for years to spread this message of solitude and abandonment that her community lives in Mexico. However, her efforts haven’t caused any governmental or society participation; so far, it has all been in vain.

We are helping her to raise her voice, to make a clear statement and to get everyone that cares on board. We are increasing awareness through social media, inviting people to contribute via crowdfunding to make this dream happen and to give them a better quality of life. Be part of a remarkable project: the first free shelter for the elder transgender and LGBT+ community in the entire world.