Hello friends, family and fellows. I’m finally ready to write something about the events of this past weekend. I’ve struggled with it, as usually when something bad happens in my life, I want to clamp down, close off, and only let those very few in my inner circle in. The idea of posting something terrible in my life onto such a public forum frightens me and makes me feel utterly vulnerable...a feeling that I hate. Mostly I just want to hide and be left alone, but if I’m honest, I know that’s not what I really need right now, that’s my ego.

Many of you know that early Saturday morning there was a 4-alarm fire in the Castro that completely burned up one building and partially burned but completely smoke/water damaged the other. My apartment was partially burned but sustained heavy water and smoke damage, and has been deemed uninhabitable by the city. I’ve been working hard to move back into the city and I just moved into this place in October. I’m displaced. I’m devastated. I’m overwhelmed. I wasn’t home when the fire broke out and both of my roommates escaped physically unharmed. I am so grateful.

Unfortunately much of all of our belongings and our apartment was not so lucky. This has been a few days of emotions. Sadness, fear, disappointment, resentment and anger. But it’s also been a time of gratitude, relief, and absolute disbelief at the amount of love, concern, support and good will that has been shown to me by several of my communities, my friends and chosen family. My community (you know) has proven once again that so long as I show up and do the next right thing, I will be taken care of.

Many of you have asked how you can help,  thankfully my friend has offered a place for me to stay, but it's an empty room and I am going to need some things immediately.  A bed, bedding, a dresser, a lamp, some clothes, shoes, toiletries, etc etc.  If you could help with any of these items please let me know.   If you could share or donate to this Gofundme, I would be forever grateful.  
 
Thank you to my Payasos family for holding me up and having my back, and feeding my soul. Thank you to Troix Boyd and Michael Turner for showing me how to get through this with grace and without bitterness. Thank you for all of you who reached out so far, publicly and privately to offer your love and support. And thank you to Joe Gallagher for your love and strong support. This past few days would have been very different without you, and I appreciate you very much. If I forgot to thank you, please forgive me. My mind is scattered and I’m still processing. Be well.