Black Man Thrown Out For Being Trans, Now Homeless
Donation protected
This is for my best friend Ezra. His mom kicked him out when he came out to her as a trans man. She told him to burn in hell and threatened to call the police to have him "committed to a mental institution."
Ezra needs help as soon as possible. He should have had this 6 months ago.
All of the funds raised here will immediately go to the following:
- Housing
Ezra has roommates ready to live with, he just needs a cheap place with space. He's currently staying with his older brother's family right now but they don't have the means or space to support him.
- Food
The local LGBTQ shelter has been a life saver. I'm bringing him a couple of things as well but he needs food.
- Legal fees
His mom took his credit cards and car and now he is more the $4000 in debt because of her. He is seeking a pro bono lawyer but he may also need to pay legal fees.
- College tuition
Ezra is a great student and will earn his degree soon. But if he is not able to pay this last bit of tuition, he may be forced to drop out before he can earn his degree.
- Therapy
While Ezra was living with his mother, she convinced him stop seeing his therapist because she thought the therapist painted her as a villain. Ezra is now in therapy again despite his mom's opposition. The professional support needed for being a Black trans man in 2020 cannot be overstated, especially in Ezra's situation.
- Vet
Ezra also has a cat named (I actually forgot his name, sorry!) that has taken some of his financial resources. When he told me about taking his cat to the vet, he tried to justify the expense, explaining how much the cat means to him but there's no need. I want his cat to be healthy - whatever that little guy's name is.
- T
I don't know everything it takes to transition but I'm hoping one day Ezra can make a full transition into being the man he is meant to be, inside and out.
*********
That was the summary but here's a little more backstory so you can get to know him a little bit:
Ezra is a full time student and works part time with at-risk children with learning/behavioral issues. He recently had surgery on his face because one of his patients shattered his nasal bones during an outburst in session. I didn't include that above because he was able to get worker's comp so he does not need assistance for that. He's a wonderful friend, I love him so much. He's so wholesome and sweet and funny. Ezra is one of the only people to have ever made me physically sore from laughing. People like to make fun of him for liking kpop and by people I mean me, of course.
Ezra has known he was a boy since he was 10 years old. He kept it hidden from the world for about 12 years. He almost came out when he was 17 but then his parents got a divorce so he decided to keep it hidden due to the family conflict that ensued. At one point he even got a job performing as various Disney princesses at events to repress it. He finally came out about 6 months ago and I was so happy when he did. As you can imagine his mom was not quite as happy.
Initially he didn't want to come out to his mom because he didn't want to her to be sad that she lost her only "daughter" and gained another son. He was supporting his mom financially but she took advantage of him, over-asking for smaller bills. Asking for more and more as time went on.
When he finally had the courage to come out to his mom, he had to come out several times because she was in denial. When she found out he started testosterone therapy she kicked him out of the house, telling him to burn in hell. She lied to many of the people Ezra knows about why he is no longer living with her. I think deep down she knows it's wrong to kick her son out but can't accept the responsibility of her volatile actions. I think it's the same reason why she wanted Ezra to stop seeing his therapist - because the therapist was identifying the root causes of Ezra's mental distress (much of it being his mom). Funny how she doesn't want him to go to therapy yet she thinks he belongs in a "mental institution."
Speaking of mental distress, I think it goes without saying that the reports and videos of lynchings and police brutality has put an overwhelming amount of stress on the Black community. Despite that, his mom was still threatening to call the police on him. Black people are already fighting to be heard and seen, having to justify their existence. Ezra is Black and trans, another group of people who have to justify their existence. I can't imagine what Ezra must be feeling knowing that even his own mom doesn't want him.
It really breaks my heart to see where his situation has turned in 2020. He's smart and funny and kind and I love him so much. He's such a good friend to me, I always get excited when I see a notification pop up on my phone with his name. He has such a huge potential but he's been beaten down so hard lately. I just want to see him thrive because I think the world is a better place with him in it. My world is certainly better because of him.
If there's anyone out there, I hope there's someone who can do something. I'm scared for him, he desperately needs help right now.
Ezra needs help as soon as possible. He should have had this 6 months ago.
All of the funds raised here will immediately go to the following:
- Housing
Ezra has roommates ready to live with, he just needs a cheap place with space. He's currently staying with his older brother's family right now but they don't have the means or space to support him.
- Food
The local LGBTQ shelter has been a life saver. I'm bringing him a couple of things as well but he needs food.
- Legal fees
His mom took his credit cards and car and now he is more the $4000 in debt because of her. He is seeking a pro bono lawyer but he may also need to pay legal fees.
- College tuition
Ezra is a great student and will earn his degree soon. But if he is not able to pay this last bit of tuition, he may be forced to drop out before he can earn his degree.
- Therapy
While Ezra was living with his mother, she convinced him stop seeing his therapist because she thought the therapist painted her as a villain. Ezra is now in therapy again despite his mom's opposition. The professional support needed for being a Black trans man in 2020 cannot be overstated, especially in Ezra's situation.
- Vet
Ezra also has a cat named (I actually forgot his name, sorry!) that has taken some of his financial resources. When he told me about taking his cat to the vet, he tried to justify the expense, explaining how much the cat means to him but there's no need. I want his cat to be healthy - whatever that little guy's name is.
- T
I don't know everything it takes to transition but I'm hoping one day Ezra can make a full transition into being the man he is meant to be, inside and out.
*********
That was the summary but here's a little more backstory so you can get to know him a little bit:
Ezra is a full time student and works part time with at-risk children with learning/behavioral issues. He recently had surgery on his face because one of his patients shattered his nasal bones during an outburst in session. I didn't include that above because he was able to get worker's comp so he does not need assistance for that. He's a wonderful friend, I love him so much. He's so wholesome and sweet and funny. Ezra is one of the only people to have ever made me physically sore from laughing. People like to make fun of him for liking kpop and by people I mean me, of course.
Ezra has known he was a boy since he was 10 years old. He kept it hidden from the world for about 12 years. He almost came out when he was 17 but then his parents got a divorce so he decided to keep it hidden due to the family conflict that ensued. At one point he even got a job performing as various Disney princesses at events to repress it. He finally came out about 6 months ago and I was so happy when he did. As you can imagine his mom was not quite as happy.
Initially he didn't want to come out to his mom because he didn't want to her to be sad that she lost her only "daughter" and gained another son. He was supporting his mom financially but she took advantage of him, over-asking for smaller bills. Asking for more and more as time went on.
When he finally had the courage to come out to his mom, he had to come out several times because she was in denial. When she found out he started testosterone therapy she kicked him out of the house, telling him to burn in hell. She lied to many of the people Ezra knows about why he is no longer living with her. I think deep down she knows it's wrong to kick her son out but can't accept the responsibility of her volatile actions. I think it's the same reason why she wanted Ezra to stop seeing his therapist - because the therapist was identifying the root causes of Ezra's mental distress (much of it being his mom). Funny how she doesn't want him to go to therapy yet she thinks he belongs in a "mental institution."
Speaking of mental distress, I think it goes without saying that the reports and videos of lynchings and police brutality has put an overwhelming amount of stress on the Black community. Despite that, his mom was still threatening to call the police on him. Black people are already fighting to be heard and seen, having to justify their existence. Ezra is Black and trans, another group of people who have to justify their existence. I can't imagine what Ezra must be feeling knowing that even his own mom doesn't want him.
It really breaks my heart to see where his situation has turned in 2020. He's smart and funny and kind and I love him so much. He's such a good friend to me, I always get excited when I see a notification pop up on my phone with his name. He has such a huge potential but he's been beaten down so hard lately. I just want to see him thrive because I think the world is a better place with him in it. My world is certainly better because of him.
If there's anyone out there, I hope there's someone who can do something. I'm scared for him, he desperately needs help right now.
Organizer and beneficiary
Xabio Arts
Organizer
Portland, OR
Ezra Andreese
Beneficiary