Help a Young, Queer Autistic Woman Start a New Life

Hi, I’m Leslie.

I’m a 20-year-old queer, autistic woman trying to escape an abusive home environment that has severely impacted my mental and physical health. I dream of pursuing a career in zoological and paleontological sciences, and simply living freely, like my peers. With your help, I can start a new life. This is my story.

To begin, my parents have always been unsupportive of both my autism and my queer identity. My mother often overshares and misrepresents my diagnosis without consent, mocks my struggles, and calls me lazy instead of helping me cope with executive dysfunction and sensory challenges. They’ve tried to “cure” me, dismissed my misophonia, and make it difficult for me to seek comfort in the more masculine presentation I enjoy.

I’ve never been allowed to have friends over, my mother’s untreated OCD and paranoia have kept this home closed to outsiders. Even basic needs are controlled: I can’t eat when I’m hungry, shower when I need to, or sit on my bed outside of bedtime. I’m forced to lay on the floor daily, causing me chronic pain that I’m not allowed to treat. This situation has left me for years without any friends, family, or support. Even my room is barren and uncomfortable as my mother suits it to herself rather than allow me to make it my own. I have no safe space.

I have very few belongings. I’m ridiculed for my clothing, but not allowed to buy or choose my own. I’m financially dependent on my parents, but they misuse my debit card without my consent, and offer no help in finding work. I’ve tried—artwork is my only source of income, but it brings in very little. (Nonetheless, if you would like something in return for your contributions, I am happy to offer art-related assets if it interests you)

My long-distance relationship with a transgender man has been a major source of joy, support, progression and learning, yet my parents constantly insult him deeply and blame him for anything they perceive as "wrong" with me, despite never having met him; they are extremely transphobic.

My home environment is constantly aggressive, miserable, scary, and draining. There hardly ever isn’t a fight going on. I have no peace.

I’m experiencing severe emotional abuse, constant surveillance, and manipulation. My privacy is routinely invaded, and I’m often humiliated in front of others. I’ve even been threatened based on imagined offenses, including being told to stay away from my loved ones, and I’ve been called “deeply mentally disturbed, and in imminent need of therapy” while others were around to hear.

I just want to live. I want to be safe, independent, and free to pursue my love for animals and the environment. I want to help others like me one day. But first, I need to get out.

Your support will help me to afford:

Any donation, no matter how small, can make a real difference. Even a few dollars can help get me a meal. I would even love to eventually give back to supporters once my goal is reached and my health improves by re-opening art commissions. But even if you can’t donate, just sharing this helps immensely. Your help gives me hope and a real chance to achieve a life worth living. Thank you endlessly from the bottom of my heart.

We can do this, together!