My name is Valeria Santiago—a lot of folks might know me as Evan, but recently I came out publicly as transgender, to both my immediate family and in a general public sense.

The former has, over a short time, proven to be both an uncomfortable and a dangerous decision. I’ll spare the details I provided in an earlier description of this fundraiser—but point being, I am currently homeless, and am looking into affordable housing thanks to the suggestions of my remaining loved ones. In the meantime, I am drifting—both across the five boroughs of NY and, when I really need to save money, in the South and Midwest US with friends for weeks at a time.

This GoFundMe is just for the day to day. I have a retail job that pays minimum wage, I have really decent support systems that I’m grateful for; but I will definitely need whatever help I can get as I do lock down a living space—at the very least until I have the second job I’m searching for.

Anything helps. Not expecting much but, whatever you have to give would be appreciated so much. Thank you.

**UPDATE (3/22/2025): I am potentially seeing an end to my year of homelessness and unstable living with a place in Illinois with friends. Moving costs are going to be a struggle, and I would not be opposed to any help y’all can give. Thank you, if you do.