Help my queer friend move out of Russia
Donation protected
Hi, my name is Rachel and my friend is in a difficult situation and I created this crowdfunding campaign to help her move out. Following text is from her:
"Hi! I am Clarice, a 23 years old transgender woman living in Russia.
Having been born in this country, it's been pretty rough - I can't find a knowledgeable LGBTQ+ friendly therapist to deal with my gender dysphoria, depression, ADD and Asperger's syndrome; I can't transition because it's very difficult to get approved for HRT in Russia, and even harder to get your gender changed in the documents; and my main issue - I don't feel safe here. The number of violent acts against queer people has been rapidly increasing, and police investigators in Russia are almost always on the side of homophobia/transphobia.
My current living situation: I've been in an unhealthy relationship with my ex for two years but I had to come back to live with him (I am renting a room he doesn't use) because it's affordable and... because of some manipulative stuff that thankfully he isn't doing much lately. It's helpful in a way to be around someone who knows me well, but, of course, it hurts all the time for various reasons to be around him.
I am very privileged to be able to earn money by being a freelance artist (thanks a lot to my friends!), but ~150$ per month is barely enough to pay rent and get necessities. I am grateful for being able to earn money, but I feel less and less productive every day due to my mental state. I need to act before it's too late and I am asking for your help.
I plan to take my chances at getting a visa/refugee status in plenty of countries, but it would be very nice to move to the US since I have a lot of friends there ready to help me adapt and it's pretty diverse in states and cities so I can find an optimal place to rent eventually.
Asking for money wasn't something I expected myself to do, but I hope that with your help I will be able to leave this country, start therapy, get HRT, be myself and most importantly - not be afraid for my life 24/7!"
We plan to make frequent updates of her progress and plans, and if you have any advice or important info on immigrating into US/Canada/any somewhat trans-tolerating country - it would be very helpful if you reached out to her!
Thank you!
Clarice's twitter: @vorkera_x
"Hi! I am Clarice, a 23 years old transgender woman living in Russia.
Having been born in this country, it's been pretty rough - I can't find a knowledgeable LGBTQ+ friendly therapist to deal with my gender dysphoria, depression, ADD and Asperger's syndrome; I can't transition because it's very difficult to get approved for HRT in Russia, and even harder to get your gender changed in the documents; and my main issue - I don't feel safe here. The number of violent acts against queer people has been rapidly increasing, and police investigators in Russia are almost always on the side of homophobia/transphobia.
My current living situation: I've been in an unhealthy relationship with my ex for two years but I had to come back to live with him (I am renting a room he doesn't use) because it's affordable and... because of some manipulative stuff that thankfully he isn't doing much lately. It's helpful in a way to be around someone who knows me well, but, of course, it hurts all the time for various reasons to be around him.
I am very privileged to be able to earn money by being a freelance artist (thanks a lot to my friends!), but ~150$ per month is barely enough to pay rent and get necessities. I am grateful for being able to earn money, but I feel less and less productive every day due to my mental state. I need to act before it's too late and I am asking for your help.
I plan to take my chances at getting a visa/refugee status in plenty of countries, but it would be very nice to move to the US since I have a lot of friends there ready to help me adapt and it's pretty diverse in states and cities so I can find an optimal place to rent eventually.
Asking for money wasn't something I expected myself to do, but I hope that with your help I will be able to leave this country, start therapy, get HRT, be myself and most importantly - not be afraid for my life 24/7!"
We plan to make frequent updates of her progress and plans, and if you have any advice or important info on immigrating into US/Canada/any somewhat trans-tolerating country - it would be very helpful if you reached out to her!
Thank you!
Clarice's twitter: @vorkera_x
Organizer
Rachel Peterson
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN
