I am:

Hi, my name is JJ (they/them) , also known as Domingo or ShearQueer, when I’m doing hair.

I am a non-binary Paraguayan-American drag artist and musician when I'm not working as a hairstylist. I was born in Maryland of two Paraguayan parents and moved to DC in 2015 to find my community and make the art and impact I had always wanted to build. Now, I want to spread these routes to my roots in Paraguay, where they need basic resources for LGBTQ+ folks. 

The main goal:

Last years goal was to reach Casa Diversa, the only trans community shelter and center in the entire country of Paraguay that both houses and cares for trans women and queer people with no place to go.

We reached them and provided 2 months of workshops while also working with other local organizations that used our funding, which included LA ABADIA, INDIETEKA, KIKI BALLROOM, LA COALICIÓN, and REPAR+

****THIS YEAR USAID HAS CUT 6 MILLION DOLLARS TO THE COUNTRY OF PY, DEVASTATING SEVERAL PROJECTS AND ORGANIZATIONS. WHILE NO OFFICIAL BUDGET IS GIVEN TOWARDS LGBTQ COMMUNITY WORK, IT HAS IMPACTED THE PRIDE IN PARAGUAY FESTIVAL AND FESTIVITIES THIS YEAR.

This GoFundMe is for:

Assistance in turning my vision of bringing gender affirming clothing, trade service education, and financial support to the trans/queer/indigenous communities of Paraguay. This GoFundMe will assist in the expenses I will incur bringing these resources, as well as provide additional donations to local organizations and groups pioneering the lgbtq+ community. 

The money I raise will also be used to the buy my plane tickets, secure housing, and cover home-away bills while I'm there. When I ship boxes of clothing to Paraguay, shipment costs of resources and goods also apply. This will include gender affirming clothing (binders, tucking panties, dresses, wigs, corsets, heels), and hair and makeup supplies for the local trans and gender diverse Paraguayan people. The funds donated to The Pride In Paraguay Fund will assist in providing infrastructure, legal assistance, travel, and community building expenses such as marches, events, drag shows, and workshops.

Why it matters to me:

The initial trip in 2024 was deeply personal to me. Being of Paraguayan descent and having lived thru religious conversion therapy when I was there, I got to connect with my roots in a way that enriched my drag identity as well as heal past trauma, in addition to the community support offered by this fund. I hope to use my identity as Domingo to help bring my drag and activism together and offer assistance needed for many years to come!

Why it's necessary:

The trans women and gender diverse people of Paraguay have no laws or protections that dignify them. Most importantly, they lack access to affirming care or support from the healthcare systems in place because of discrimination, transphobia, and homophobia.

This fund will help to create an international mutual aid relationship between DC and Paraguay's very neglected LGBTQ+ communities.

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Thank you for any support you can bring in helping me assist my Paraguayan trans/nonbinary/ indigenous/ drag communities!