Aid Ridley's Recovery To Continue His Mission

We are 13% of the way to raising 4k to support one of Chicago's queerest community members, Ridley Holmes, as he finally receives gender-affirming top surgery at the beginning of December!

As a member of Ridley's household, I am raising money to aid recovery costs and living expenses during Ridley's medical leave as he recovers from surgery. He is the main provider of the household as a few of us have been looking for work since the summer of 2024. The 4k we are raising will offset the financial impact of his health leave from work. His health insurance covers gender-affirming procedures like this one, however, there is still an out-of-pocket maximum cost of several thousand dollars on top of costs for travel, care, housing, and food.

Immersed in local community work since 2018, Ridley is currently serving the larger Chicago area with the organization, the Night Ministry, as a case worker connecting young adults to housing and other community resources. Ridley fills a significant gap in services available in Chicago to unhoused youth (many are of LBTQIA+ identities that have been displaced because of their identity).

Your contributions to support Ridley enable him to continue serving the community and being a visible beacon of hope to the queer and trans youth. We belong here, and we've always been here.

We've broken down how you can help us reach our goal:

Starting donations are $30 (30 people needed)

Donations from $45 - $60 (30 people needed) will receive a gift of assorted stickers from Ridley with a personalized thank you note!

Donations $75 - $125 (25 people needed) will receive stitched keychains from Ridley and a personalized thank you note.

However, any donation is so helpful! If you would like to help us skirt the transaction fees from this site you can also donate via

Venmo - @zaddyrads

Can't donate, but would love to support? Share the Word! Your donation, whatever the amount, helps us support Ridley with supplies to support a smooth recovery, supplies, and finances to cover his rent for December and January while he takes medical leave from the Night Ministry to heal.