From Drag Stages to Doctorate — And Why I’m Asking for Help Now

For over 10 years, Hillcrest was my arena. I bartended, managed nightlife, ran shows, and supported drag performers. I was the drag performer. I helped build spaces where our LGBTQAI+ community could feel alive, expressive, safe, and celebrated. I showed up night after night — not just pouring drinks, but holding space. I witnessed heartbreaks, breakthroughs, transitions, and transformations under neon lights. I am proud of that chapter. But growth demands evolution. Over time, I began to see what was happening beneath the glitter: the burnout, the stress, the trauma, and the nervous systems running on survival mode. Our community has always known how to party — but we don’t always have access to restorative, affirming care that understands our lived experiences.

So I shifted. I went back to school for massage therapy and holistic health. I chose healing over hustle. I chose sustainability over survival. I chose to build something that gives back to the very community that raised me. Now I am stepping into the next level: a doctorate program that will equip me with advanced tools, clinical depth, and the ability to open a practice rooted in trauma-informed, queer-affirming care right here in Hillcrest. And here’s the truth: I cannot do this next step alone. There is a firm deadline — February 26th. I need to submit a down payment to secure my place in the program. That payment unlocks my equipment and tools, which will be sent to me so I can begin training immediately. In exchange, I will begin taking clients at no cost — every logged hour of service goes directly toward reducing my tuition balance. I have a small window to secure this opportunity, and if I miss it, I lose momentum I have worked years to build. I’m not asking for charity. I’m asking for investment.

An investment in a healer who has already given over a decade of service to this community. An investment in a future practice that centers LGBTQAI+ bodies and nervous systems. An investment in accessible care, sliding scale services, and a space that understands us from the inside out. Hillcrest watched me grow up. Now I’m asking Hillcrest to help me grow forward. If you can contribute — any amount — you are directly helping me meet this deadline and step into the work I am fully prepared to do. If you can’t give financially, sharing this matters just as much. I have done the work. I have shown up for years. Now I am asking my community to stand with me as I rise into the next chapter.

With Love, Light and so much Gratitude

Andrew