Help Rosanna Keep Her home

Our dear friend Rosanna Hudgins, a veteran and 33-year resident of North Minneapolis who's dedicated her life to service, activism, and community, is facing dire hardship as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Rosanna is in danger of losing her home and her car, which she needs to be able to get to her part-time job and medical appointments.  

We're raising money to help Rosanna stay in her home and keep her car.  Donate now to make sure Rosanna has the safety, security and community care we all deserve.

From serving in the first group of women who completed basic combat training with male soldiers after the disbanding of the Womens Army Corps  (WACS) in 1975; to her leadership and advocacy for queer communities of color, health and caregiving issues for queer elders; to her work creating joy and positive energy for all through music -- Rosanna has been here for us. This is our chance to step up in gratitude and solidarity.

Rosanna has dedicated her life to serving her community and has been an advocate and activist in Minnesota's LGBTQ community for decades.  In 1995, Rosanna appeared in My Girlfriend Did It, a groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind film on same-sex domestic violence. In 2019, Rosanna was featured in the groundbreaking, award-winning documentary on LGBTQ history in Minnesota, Out North. 

Rosanna’s financial hardship is a direct result of the COVID-19 crisis. Rosanna had recently started temp work at Summit Academy when she caught COVID-19.  Around the same time, the work was drying up at Summit Academy as the pandemic brought much of their programming to a halt. When it was finally time to go back to work, she felt her employer couldn't guarantee COVID-19 safety.  Rosanna has Type II Diabetes and COPD. As an elder with these compromising health factors, she can’t risk catching COVID-19 again.

Rosanna has worked part-time employment at Penzey's Spices since 2008. The owners of the family business made it very safe for workers and customers. Rosanna is an accomplished chef. She graduated from an Atlanta culinary school 2002. She feels good about working at Penzey's. But she only works part-time. At $16 an hour, that comes out to just $1,100 a month. It’s just not enough to make ends meet. 

Time is running out. Rosanna’s need for assistance in keeping her car is urgent. We need to raise $7,200 immediately to make sure Rosanna’s car doesn’t get repossessed. Please donate now to help Rosanna keep her only mode of transportation so that she can get to work and to the doctor.

Rosanna’s home is also on the verge of foreclosure. While she’s made COVID-19 relief forbearance arrangements with her mortgage company, those deferments are set to expire in May. We need to raise a minimum of $7,000 to make sure Rosanna can stay in her home now and into the future.

Here's Rosanna's story, in her own words:

“As a member of so many communities in Minneapolis, in Minnesota and on the North side, having your support means so much. Not only for myself, keeping me in my home and safe, but also so I can continue to give back to this neighborhood, community, state, country. 

Having this help would mean I don't have to be on the streets, would not be homeless. I would not have to worry about getting to doctors. I don't have people I can move in with. I don't have children. It's just me. I have no idea where I would go. Keeping my home is my only option. 

I bought this house with the intention of being here. Until COVID-19 hit, I never missed a payment, I was never late, and I was really proud of that. This has just turned everything upside down.

I’m active in the Jordan community. This is where I live. I’m a Neighborhood Watch person. I sing at the Capri Theater. I love my neighbors and my community. We talk about how we're going to protect each other. It's been rough, but we're here to stay. This is where I live and where I belong. 

My house is called Casa de Libelula (House of the Dragonfly) because dragonflies are a  symbol of transformation. 

Esta muy importante para mi, a todos. Esta bien."

Our goal is to raise $40,000 to pay off Rosanna’s car, bring her current on her mortgage, and pre-pay her mortgage, taxes and insurance for at least 2 years to make sure she has the security and safety she deserves. Any funds that exceed our goal amount will be contributed directly to ConneQT and Abule at Avenues for Youth, which support LGBTQI+ and BIPOC youth facing housing issues and homelessness. 

This is an opportunity to give back to a queer Black artist, advocate and healer who has dedicated her life to serving her community. Donate now to take care of Rosanna, like she has taken care of so many of us. 

More about Rosanna:

Lifting her voice in song, Rosanna hits a high note with the Capri Glee Community Choir. The Choir is sponsored by the historic Capri Theatre  in North Minneapolis and committed to amplifying the positivity of the North Side. Pre COVID-19, the Choir gave two free concerts every year.  Find them on Youtube  for your listening pleasure!

Rosanna joins with members and supporters of the Advisory Board for the LGBTQ Caregivers Support Group for a picture with Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner-Salon in 2015.  The support group, sponsored by the Amherst M. Wilder Foundation, was recognized for its trailblazing advocacy work.   Among those pictured with Rosanna are: fellow Advisory Board Member, Barbara Satin and supporters, Rep. Karen Clark and Sen. Scott Dibble. 


During a break, Rosanna talks with attendees of "Creating Change," the 2011 National Conference on LGBT Equality where she was both a presenter and caucus leader. The conference, sponsored by the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force and the PFund Foundation, was held right here in Minneapolis.