Community Call to Action for Rhizome

As members of Rhizome's community we come together to call you to action

Rhizome is an older, Black, queer, nonbinary, chronically ill, neurodivergent content creator, online community acitivst, organizer and a tremendously gifted writer.

As a community leader, they are an asset to all of us who know them and a vital, critical knowledge giver on the left.

Rhizome educates, and encourages growth with everything they do. Despite having been canceled multiple time, they continue to provide consistent meaningful contribution to leftist community and are a pivotal voice and courageous force for change.

They have been present in so many different irl and online communities and subcultures over the years. And now the communities they have so enriched over so many years must reach into themselves to help Rhizome and their youngest child make one of the largest transitions of their life.

Their landlord has given legally notice that Rhizome and their child notice to vacate their family home by June 30th.

But after years of emotionally and psychologically damaging abuse in an increasingly toxic family environment that has negatively impacted their mental and physical health, plus Rhizome having high blood pressure and disturbingly low kidney function...

this move, even as it promises a fresh start, still comes at the worst possible time.

Rhizome has nothing to start over with.

They have no way to make this happen by themself, no savings, except a small monthly paying patreon, but not enough to save with or even feed them and their son fully. As a result, they now need to fundraise for their move and to ensure home stability after they move.

Very overwhelmed, Rhizome reached out to us, their online friends and accomplices.

The housing market in their city is extremely exploitative, discriminating and terribly expensive even for younger people with family, friends, resources and jobs.

For a family with no one to lean on, the outlook is bleak.

As a queer, Caribbean, 1st generation child immigrant who was ostracized by biological family when they came out in their 20s, with their only involved parent dead over a decade ago, Rhizome faces the daunting task of moving with their youngest child and starting over after 20 years.

Due to their disabilities and age, finding a job to support themself and their child will be a challenge.

This GoFundMe is Rhizome last and only chance to stay out of homelessness and make a new start.

They will need funds for first last month's rent + 3 month's stabilizing cushion while they look for work.

Because they can't drive, have no supports in the city and are chronically ill, we must also factor in moving costs. They will need to hire a moving company. There is absolutely no way around that.

In a city where landlords are not legally allowed to refuse tenant who have pets, Rhizome will still have to offer a substantial pet deposit for their beloved animals Tailess, Tailful and Lightening McQueen, who's lives are intertwined and imbedded with Rhizome and their son and have been part of their teenage sons life for years. They are family and much adored, they must be kept safe and protected during the move and with their human family wherever they go.

Rhizome is requesting funds to help pay for the repair of their e-bike which is their only form of transportation.

They are also requesting funds for their prescription medications and dental care for themself and their son that has been put off for two years due to low finances.

Starting from ground zero with nothing financially, leaving the home environment they have known, Rhizome and their teenager deserve a chance to flourish in this new life.

Please recall our duty to our community members in need, to our educators, to our older BIPOC, queer, trans and poor community members, eespecially those who mentor in resistance as they to hold up our communities.

Rhizome has fundraised in support of the lives of so many other vulnerable community members, friends and strangers, alike.

Now, it's time to hold up Rhizome.

Please understand that making a donation to this fundraising campaign will be a direct contribution to keeping an LGBTTQAI2S family alive and off the street.

It will be an act of intentional community and life retention for this dedicated Black anarchist, intersectional feminist.

You can contribute in order to safeguard a vulnerable member of so many communities, for the sake of liberation. It's time for our communities to care of them.

We are calling on you to ensure that Rhizome's life and work will continue into the future to the benefit of all who know and have learned from them.

By supporting this fundraiser You will be supporting a life saving transition of a beloved community member whose existence, voice, and daily work really has been their resistance.