Hi, many of you know me as Chia in online communities. Asking for help is incredibly difficult for me, but I’m out of options.

Due to a series of job losses, some rooted in anti-trans discrimination, I’ve fallen behind on rent and am now facing potential eviction this month. I’m trying to raise $3,000 to cover the remainder of what I owe before a likely court date the week of July 20th.

How it Started

My work history and issues with it had initially been deeply impacted by being openly trans in a hostile environment. After coming out publicly in 2018, I was pushed out of my job. Despite the company’s claims of support, I was pulled from all public-facing responsibilities and tensions escalated. My closest friend at the job defended me after my boss was trying to control my pronoun usage, and was fired and told it was my fault. Shortly after, they used a minor mistake to fire me, too.

That experience left me shaken and fearful, but I kept pushing forward. I picked up contract gigs, got a full time position in esports, and then eventually landed my dream job.

Job Instability

I was hired full-time at TL, one of the biggest milestones in my career, but was laid off just 15 months later due to downsizing. The timing as well absolutely destroyed me mentally, as it happened the day after a major event where I had just finished working multiple roles and feeling like I was truly about to make it.

I tried to stay afloat by working on YouTube and burning through savings and credit cards. After 8 difficult months, I found full-time work again, only to be let go unexpectedly after being placed under a religious manager from Texas with clear discomfort around me. That job lasted barely 7 months.

Fighting to Stay Afloat

Since then, I’ve done everything I can to survive. I haven't been able to find a new full-time job, but I currently juggle four part-time jobs: managing YouTube channels for a tech company, a new esports team, working on my own YouTube channels, and running a tcgplayer store on the side. Together, these now cover my monthly expenses - but not the back rent and fees that built up while I was jobless.

Despite steady communication with my landlord and gradual payments, late fees and sudden costs like car insurance have kept me from catching up fully. Now, they are demanding full payment immediately, or eviction proceedings will begin.

Why This Matters

I'm autistic and live alone, and this situation has left me terrified and overwhelmed. I’ve done everything in my power to stay afloat and rebuild myself, and I’m finally at a point where my income covers my current expenses, but I need help clearing the past.

If I can raise $3,000, I can resolve this rent crisis and avoid losing my home. Eviction would severely harm my ability to find future housing or employment, and undo everything I’ve worked toward rebuilding.

If you’re able to donate or share, it would mean the world to me. I plan to pay this forward when I’m back on stable ground. Thank you for reading, caring, and for believing in me.

Sincerely,

Chia