Hello friends, comrades, and neighbors!

Our dear friend Gerardo Marciano has almost run out of money, so we are asking for any financial support you can offer at this time. Every dollar goes a long way for him.

If you might have work for Gerardo, too, he's interested (see below).

In July, Gerardo lost his health insurance after the state of Illinois ended the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program. Some of his providers are offering what they can so that he continues to receive a small amount of care, but he has no safety net for health costs.

The situation has been stressful for him, like it would be for any of us. It's dangerous, and it works against his mental health. The problem-solving takes up a lot of time. And he is facing upcoming bills for important psychiatric care and ketamine therapy.

What's hopeful is that he is healthier now than he was even a year ago. The reason is that he's determined to be healthy and because the assistance offered by many of you has allowed him to focus on treatment. In the last year he has had regular doctor visits, surgical procedures, new and helpful medication, ketamine therapy, and continues to see his therapist 3 times a week. His living situation is safe, comfortable, and happy.

Gerardo also wants to work—he doesn't like doing these fundraisers.

He has a few job interviews lined up, which is exciting, but he is always on the lookout for little jobs, especially ones he can do from home. Writing, editing, and Spanish-English translation are his specialties—do you or your organization need those skills? Or did you hear about a job that might be a good fit for him? Please let him know at [email redacted].

Finally, please subscribe to Queerboymagik , Gerardo's free Substack newsletter. The Substack has been so important to him over the last year as an outlet for his creative writing—it's been a great source of pleasure and connection with others. The posts are biographical—he tells stories—but the subjects include politics, culture, queerness, friendship, Chicago, Mexico, activism, and much more. The Substack has become one of his many gifts to the community. You can also become a paid subscriber to Queerboymagik, which is very, very appreciated.

And he invites you to follow him on Youtube here and on Instagram @Gerardomarciano

Thank you friends!