Urgent Housing Fundraiser

Hey y’all,

I am reaching out to my community to help me maintain my peace & renew my lease. This time last year I was in an airbnb waiting to hear back about apartments I had applied for. Since then, I was able to move in to my home now and build a space of peace for myself. Crowdfunding for the masse & myself last year took a toll on me regarding how many boundaries would be crossed, how much work redistribution takes, & communicating with people who needed help- So I was hesitant to reach out and ask again for help but the time has come for me to ask because bills are passed due. This passed year I have experienced much grief, loss, and fear of leaving my home due to traumatic events/loss related to gun violence. I currently work for myself and would like to expand my brand into merch, videos, live streams, and selling the goods I make to soothe my soul so I can be more self-sufficient. I can not wrap my head around consistent therapy, expanding my business, and maintaining my lease without asking for help.

Last year’s crowdfunding for the Black sx worker’s of Chicago led to, although it was a beautiful moment of wealth redistribution to a class of people who deserve more- threats of my accounts being deleted, people threatening me in my DMs, people getting close to me under the guise of shared labor to take advantage of the mission, and my not being able to even deactivate for a temporary amount of time because of the help people needed. I even sent out portions of my personal housing GFM to people who applied for aide because my mental health had taken such a hit. Since that time, I have been working on Decrim behind closed doors with a coalition in Chicago as well as co-leading the Brave Space Alliance Sx Worker Safety & Advocacy Mutual Aid Group for two years now, creating safe performance spaces for Black Sx Workers, and my home has been a safe haven for Black sx workers in need of a temporary place to stay.

My home means a lot to me because since my family left the city, I have previously had to live with non-black folks who disrespected me, disrespected my asthma by smoking cigarettes inside, people had abusers in our house, and people would trespass into my bedroom. The last straw was a former roommate’s ex boyfriend coming into my room and threatening my life.

I have to renew my lease in October or else I will have to leave & that will financially + mentally cost way more than renewing where I am at. The sooner I can pay the debt of what I owe to my landlord, my utilities, and be able to pay for rent to come- the sooner I can re-secure the home I have made for myself. With your help I will be able to continue to live in my home and continue to develop my dancing, baking practices, online work, organizing initiatives, & in-person artistic performances- while processing grief and soothing my mental wellness, asthma, & adhd. Thank you for reading, Thank you for reposting, Thank you for helping me along this journey.

Venmo/Cashapp: HeartthrobWhore