Help a Trans Author Survive and Finish Her Memoir

Hi, my name is Melody Reeder. I’m a transgender woman, a mother, and a writer currently working on my memoir Transamerican. My dream is to finish and publish this book — to leave behind a story that matters, that sheds light on the realities of being transgender in America today. But right now, survival comes first.

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Why I’m Asking for Help:

For the past year, I’ve been fighting to keep my head above water. I’ve faced homelessness, hunger, and financial instability. At the same time, I’ve been driving long hours for Uber and DoorDash just to cover the bare minimum: rent, food, and keeping my car running.

The car is my lifeline. It’s the only way I can earn income — but it’s on the verge of failing. It needs serious repairs I cannot afford, and every day I drive it, I risk losing the only tool I have to survive. It’s a cruel paradox: I need the car to make money, but driving it is breaking it down further.

Without this car, I lose my income. Without income, I lose my apartment. It’s that simple.

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Where Your Support Goes:

Donations go directly toward:

Rent ($900 due Sept 14) — to keep a roof over my head.

Car payment ($256 due Aug 30) and urgent repairs — to keep me earning through Uber/DoorDash.

Phone bill ($175/month) — essential for both work and safety.

Food & basic survival — so I don’t go hungry while I keep pushing forward.

Every dollar helps me stabilize enough to keep working and eventually carve out the time to finish Transamerican. My story deserves to be told, but right now, it’s buried under the weight of daily survival.

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Why This Matters:

I’m not just fighting for myself. I’m fighting to keep alive long enough to write a book that will speak for so many others like me — trans people, survivors of trauma, those who have lived through poverty and systemic neglect.

Your donation is more than survival money. It’s an investment in a voice that refuses to stay silent.

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How You Can Help:

Donate: Even $5 makes a difference.

Share: If you can’t donate, please share my story — visibility saves lives.

DO NOT Pre-Order the Memoir: Anyone who donates $30+ will DEFINITELY NOT be added to the pre-order list and will DEFINITELY NOT be eligible to get a signed copy of Transamerican when it’s complete.

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In Closing:

I’ve survived this long through grit, faith, and the kindness of people who believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself. I’m asking for your help once more — to keep a roof over my head, keep my car on the road, and keep me alive long enough to finish the book that is my legacy.

Thank you for reading, thank you for sharing, and thank you for helping me fight for higher ground.

With gratitude,

Melody Reeder

No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe.