Help a Black Trans visual artist stay housed
Hello, my name is John (Lotto) Hunter. I am a black, queer illustrator and activist. This gofundme is for gaining funds to establish housing stability in the midst of a global pandemic.
2020 has been an extremely difficult year for most of us. 2021 isn’t shaping up to be much better.
Last year, in January, I lost my job due to workplace discrimination and the next one in March due to COVID-19 lockdowns. From April until September, I was displaced 4 times, leaving my childhood home with my family, going from temporary living situations and couch surfing with friends.
After a breakup in February due to my abusive behavior towards a partner, my mental health spiraled and I developed a substance addiction. I have since committed myself to becoming accountable for my actions and seeking therapy.
In July, at a peaceful demonstration against policing, along with 4 others, I was assaulted and abducted by the Greensboro Police Department, who stole our belongings and fabricated felony charges of assault against a government official. No such assault was witnessed by any in attendance. I have a pending court date that’s been moved back several times, and is now set for February 2021.
I managed to use my unemployment benefits to finance an apartment in unceded Piscataway land, (so-called Baltimore, Maryland). This was my first experience living independently, and my first time moving outside of North Carolina.
Before I moved, I secured a job at a “Sip and Paint” business as well as a local non-profit as an Art Teacher for young students whose schools cannot afford art programs . Due to travel for court and family obligations, I was unable to attend classes, and as a result, lost my employment there. I’ve since been barely keeping afloat by doing postmates deliveries on my bicycle and donations from others in October after the initial threat of eviction.
In December, my roommate moved in, after covering November’s rent in its entirety. While their arrival had helped halve my share of the rent, they’re now in the process of moving elsewhere as of late January due to concerns about sustainability given my unemployment and the landlord’s constant threats of eviction. I once again am responsible for the full amount of rent.
On the 16th of January, my mother died due to her complications with cancer after years of battling it and entering remission 3 separate times. I was initially unable to visit her in-person due to COVID-19 restrictions on visitation. I managed to visit after she was transferred to palliative care, however she was unresponsive by the time I arrived. I missed the chance to talk to her for a final time by a day.
COVID-19’s impact on the economy and social life, my depression’s impediment on my daily habits, dysphoria, the lack of stability in my housing and employment, the constant grief of loss and isolation has all taken a toll emotionally and physically. It’s hard to remain hopeful about the future given how bleak the past year has been. However, it’smy hope that I will be able to withstand these challenges so that I may once again be in a position to grow as an artist without fear of homelessness.
I will benefit from meeting my goal by being able to repay my former roommate, catching up on my late rent payments and utilities, and having the massive burden of anxiety about my housing situation relieved somewhat, if only temporarily, while I continue to find a way to survive in the turmoil that is daily life as an independent queer black artist under capitalism.
The funds will be used to repay my roommate, (who is also unemployed, black and trans,) [$1095], to pay the remainder of what I owe for rent for the month of January 2021 [$895], utilities for January [$254.53] and the upcoming cost of rent for February [$1095].
I need these funds before the property owner carries on with the process of eviction. He has threatened eviction before, and I am worried that I will not have very long before this is the case. My utilities will be shut off on the 8th of February if I’m unable to pay the energy company, leaving me without heat or water in the winter, amidst a health crisis. Since I do not have health insurance, homelessness will likely be a death sentence.
The support from these funds would go far to help my mental health as I recover from the traumatic experiences of the past year, reconcile with my emotions, find stable employment, and, if necessary, secure an alternative housing situation that isn’t as hostile and is more sustainable.
I will be overjoyed for any support that I receive. I often do not feel seen, valued or deserving of aid. I am committed to fighting to live a life that is safe and reciprocating the goodwill and solidarity thatwill enable me to thrive.
To see a sample of the art I create, follow my instagram page: @limecrier. I am open to sketching portraits in my style for anyone who donates to my cause.
Thank you!
In radical kindness,
- John
[They/Them]
