Lend Luster a Hand: This time he needs OUR help.

You know this smile. You are part of LuSter's wide network of friends, family, and people who love him. You know him as Towtruck from the Columbus Pacesetters, you went to grad school together, hung

out on a bar stool, shared the stage with him in any one of hundreds of drag shows, worshipped together, read his play, played on the same softball team, coordinated a fundraiser, said a little "A Suki Suki," maybe all of the above. Knowing him, you know he has a seemingly limitless capacity for giving. His generosity has touched countless people all over the planet.

What you might not know is that he has had rough stretch the past few years. From under/unemployment and several serious health challenges to the recent death of both of his parents a mere 48 hours apart, he is in need of some help. After much soul searching, and with his approval, he has agreed to open up about this time of need and receive help from whomever can assist. You know he will share when asked, so if you have questions, reach out to him. He has another surgery coming up soon and will need help for the next few months. Any and everything you can offer will be deeply appreciated and will be a big help.

For folks in town, his dear drag brothers and sisters will be announcing a fund raising show soon. In the meantime, the hope is that for those near or far away who have the means to help, the Go Fund Me will get him some immediate cash flow.

Finally, it was extremely difficult for him to agree to allow me to help. And, he wants full disclosure up front that he has a summer vacation (no refund) already planned and paid for that he felt would “look bad” to go on if he accepted this gift. That’s LuSter. We've talked at length to help him manage the feelings he has about needing help. His heritage as a black, transmasculine, Appalachian, hard working, proud person complicates his ability to ask for help. His pride and independence are deeply held cultural beliefs. Anyone who has been poor and from the hills and valleys of Ohio knows this struggle. WE DO NOT ASK FOR HELP.

That said, it doesn't mean we don't need or deserve a leg up every so often. He needs some help and some peace of mind and body. Please help if you can.

On LuSter's behalf, and with a great deal of humility and gratitude, he thanks you in advance for your prayers, well wishes and financial assistance. And, he wants you to know he is working on getting assistance for all of this, but it all involves hoops and time and energy and countless phone calls, appointments, etc. All things he has been short on while needing his own medical care and trying to care for his ailing parents.

Words from LuSter:

I am wrestling with… current out of pocket medical expenses of $7500. Another procedure and two more major surgeries before summer, one with a 4-5 day hospital stay. unemployment is in a denied status (working on appeal), and student loan is teetering default. college tuition for Eden is due and Medicaid is still pending meaning no health insurance at all right now.