Help a Gay, First-Gen, Low-Income Student

My name is Gerardo Rodriguez, a rising Third-Year at Pomona College, and I am starting this Go Fund Me on behalf of my friend who has chosen to remain in anonymity. 

Please donate and spread this Go Fund Me with friends and loved ones in order to  help my friend meet their need!!! 

If you wish to contribute more please feel free donate to their Venmo: @aid47


This Is Their Story:

“In March 2020, Pomona College evicted me, a first-generation, low income, gay student, from campus. I remember being in my college’s career center when Pomona administration sent out an email that stated how every student would have to vacate campus in a week’s time. Although I was supposed to attend class that day, all I could do was sit frozen in the career center and think about where I would live. I did not want to go back home. Growing up, I was conditioned to survive in a place where I had to overcome physical abuse and verbal abuse in the form of threats being made against me if I were to come out as gay.

I am not one to hide myself or my expression, and college has given me the space to feel safe enough to express myself fully and freely. When I come home, however, I have to make conscious decisions daily about what I wear, how I act, what I say, what I shouldn’t say, what things I should hide,etc. for fear of my physical and mental integrity.

In retrospect, I know that I would have depended on the remaining month of the Spring semester to prepare myself emotionally, spiritually, and physically to go back home. Despite having to go back home with little to no preparation, I have been able to survive and attempt to thrive at home. A part of me prayed that I would be able to return back to campus this semester so that I could return to having a normal life.

The day that Pomona announced a Fall semester online, I felt like I was at the career center all over again on that day in March. I cannot endure staying in a home where I am not true to myself, nor can I ever fully be true to myself.

I cannot exist to my fullest and truest extent at home. I always ask myself, “How can I be expected to focus my energy on school when I am constantly using my energy on trying to survive?” I have had plans to escape home for a long time now, but as a first-generation and low income student, my financial situation has and continues to be desperate. Thanks to my summer internship, I have been able to start a savings account. I hope to grow this money over time to sustain myself for years to come. In order to start living my true, out-of-the-closet life I need the help of the community.

I am asking my friend to start this GoFundMe so that I can secure my own room for this fall semester. I am remaining anonymous out of fear that I will be outed and found out by anyone in my family. Having my own space means that I will be able to start my life safely and securely. I will be able to start a life as a first-generation, low income, gay student without having to worry about financial barriers. I have and have always had multiple dreams. I can dream of possibilities for days, and your contribution will help me create a possibility that I need.”