Cynthia Daniels
Cynthia Daniels
The North Texas TRANSportation Network (NTTN) provides travel and relocation grants to North Texas families seeking out-of-state health care for trans and gender-diverse minors or seeking to relocate because of issues such as lack of access to health care or bullying. Led by Cynthia Daniels, the vision is to ensure that every transgender and gender-diverse minor in North Texas has access to the healthcare they need, regardless of geographical barriers. Families are supported through $1000 travel grants and recently added $3000 moving grants, which alleviate some of the financial burdens that often accompany seeking healthcare beyond state lines.
About: Cynthia Daniels is the mother of a trans daughter and deeply committed to ensuring that children in Texas receive the care they need. A graduate of Texas A&M, Cynthia has experience in business management and works as a Mary Kay team leader in Mansfield, TX. Cynthia has testified before the Texas legislature as an advocate for trans youth and currently volunteers her time to NTTN.
Unsplash image by Delia Giandeini
NTTN is hosted by Galileo Church on the outskirts of Fort Worth. The church states that its first missional priority, to “do justice for LGBTQ+ people and support the people who love them.” Pastor Katie Hays is credited with the idea behind NTTN and church member Cynthia Daniels became the first Executive Director and the moving force behind the organization.
Galileo Church holds the 501(c)3 for NTTN. NTTN is a non-religious organization and requires no religious participation or belief by applicants, their families, donors, or steering committee members.
Unsplash image by Denin Lawley
Approximately 30,000 trans minors live in the state of Texas, making up about 10% of the U.S. trans minor population. NTTN is a response to the 88th Texas State Legislature’s passage of SB14, signed into law by the governor in June 2023, which prohibits health care workers from providing gender-affirming health care such as puberty blockers and hormone therapies to trans and gender- diverse minors. This ban goes against the standards of care endorsed by the Texas chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Families, parents and guardians of trans kids who are residents of North Texas can apply for travel and relocation grants . Travel grants, up to $1000, can be utilized twice a year for various travel expenses, from losing and airfare to food. One-time relocation grants of $3000 are available for families forced to move out of Texas due to bullying and isolation or to be closer to health care.
