A Model for Compassion in Crisis
For many LGBTQIA+ people in New York right now, crisis is not somewhere far away: it is moving through shelters, check-ins, court dates, and the daily work of surviving and belonging. FemSMS is built alongside community for exactly this — messages and platforms co-created by the people who know this reality, grounded in care, and designed to reach people where systems don’t.
What is FemSMS?
Developed by Footage Foundation and partners, including Project Kesher, in 2022 in response to the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, FemSMS uses human-centred, participatory design to co-create platforms and messages with the communities it serves. Messages cover safety, mental health, gender-based violence, and access to resources. They are sent as text, voice notes, and meditations — they are also available via a co-designed app.
Supported by the NYC Pride Gives Back grant, FemSMS: Pride Edition is the first New York City implementation — and the first FemSMS pilot designed specifically with and for trans, immigrant, and exiled LGBTQIA+ communities in the United States.
““This grant arrives at a time when many LGBTQIA+ people — particularly trans, immigrant, and exiled individuals — are facing intensifying pressures: housing instability, immigration crackdowns, social isolation, and systemic exclusion. In these conditions, access to trustworthy, affirming information is not a luxury, it is a form of care, safety, and survival.””
Project Stages
Take Our Survey
We are in the early stages of building FemSMS: Pride Edition and your knowledge shapes everything. We are launching our needs assessment phase with two short surveys — please take the one that fits you. Both are anonymous unless you choose to share your contact details and take approximately 5–10 minutes.
For community members
If you have lived experience of exile, immigration, forced displacement, or navigating NYC systems as an LGBTQIA+ person — we want to hear from you. What do you need? What’s missing? What would actually help?
For organizations
If you work with trans, immigrant, or exiled LGBTQIA+ communities in New York — in legal aid, housing, healthcare, mental health, reproductive health, or community safety — we want to understand the landscape and where FemSMS can connect and complement.
Get Involved
We are building this with community from the ground up.
Tell us what you need, what’s missing, and what might help.
Leave your details and we’ll be in touch as the project takes shape.
Write “workshops” in the message field.
Write “partner” in the message field.
Partners & Supporters
Footage Foundation — Project lead. Developed FemSMS since 2022. Experts in trauma-informed, participatory design with communities in crisis globally.
Qaravan — Grassroots LGBTQ+ network supporting queer immigrants and exiles from Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus.
NYC Pride | Heritage of Pride — Grant funder. NYC Pride’s community investment program supporting LGBTQIA+ organisations across the five boroughs.
Community partners — We are actively building partnerships with grassroots organisers in reproductive health, legal aid, and LGBTQIA+ community safety across New York City. Other organisations welcome — write “partner” in the contact form.
FemSMS: Pride Edition is generously funded by NYC Pride | Heritage of Pride through Pride Gives Back 2026.
Contact Form
Contact: Dr. Kristen Ali Eglinton, Project Director — kae@footageproject.org