Hello everyone, my name is Quinton and I’m a 22-year-old Black, queer, nonbinary interdisciplinary artist based in NYC.
In December of 2020, my already devastating year took a turn for the worse when my roommate and I were arrested on false felony charges in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and held in prison on $70,000 bonds. I spent several weeks, including Christmas and New Year’s Day incarcerated. The living conditions inside the prison I was detained in were horrendous. The people incarcerated there, including my roommate and I, were subject to overcrowding, lack of Covid-19 protocol, sexual harassment by guards, and physical & psychological trauma. Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate of any state in the country at almost 2x the national average. As of today I’ve had to pay almost $16,000 out of pocket in bond, attorney fees, & legal fees, and I’ve had to set aside a budget for travel between New York and Louisiana.
Needless to say, losing my entire life savings has been extremely debilitating. Upon my release, I struggled with reintegrating into my daily life. I have been hopelessly applying for jobs, but still have yet to receive an offer. Just recently, crippling debt from student loans caused me not to receive a stimulus check. I’m terrified that my landlord will evict me for one too many late rent payments, I’m worried I won’t have enough money to adequately feed myself, and I live in constant fear that I’ll be arrested and extradited back to Baton Rouge if I’m no longer able to scrape up money for the biweekly payments I’m required to pay to my bondsman. My worry has turned to depression and despair, but through it all, I still try to live life to the fullest and remain positive.
The biggest reason that I’ve been able to survive the most difficult financial and emotional crisis I’ve ever experienced is because of the caring and affirming community surrounding me. My network of Black queer friends and chosen family is a pillar of emotional support for me, but due to systemic inequality, they cannot provide me with an adequate amount of financial support.
I am URGENTLY requesting $7000 to help cover the outstanding balance on my bond, pay my back rent and late fees, and enable me to open a savings account for stable housing when my lease ends in August.
Meeting my goal would allow me to breathe a much-needed sigh of relief. Paying off my bond and maintaining safe housing are my main priorities and though I work tirelessly, the money I make doing bicycle deliveries is rarely enough to make ends meet.
Please donate, repost, and share so I can live freely, safely, and securely.
In December of 2020, my already devastating year took a turn for the worse when my roommate and I were arrested on false felony charges in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and held in prison on $70,000 bonds. I spent several weeks, including Christmas and New Year’s Day incarcerated. The living conditions inside the prison I was detained in were horrendous. The people incarcerated there, including my roommate and I, were subject to overcrowding, lack of Covid-19 protocol, sexual harassment by guards, and physical & psychological trauma. Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate of any state in the country at almost 2x the national average. As of today I’ve had to pay almost $16,000 out of pocket in bond, attorney fees, & legal fees, and I’ve had to set aside a budget for travel between New York and Louisiana.
Needless to say, losing my entire life savings has been extremely debilitating. Upon my release, I struggled with reintegrating into my daily life. I have been hopelessly applying for jobs, but still have yet to receive an offer. Just recently, crippling debt from student loans caused me not to receive a stimulus check. I’m terrified that my landlord will evict me for one too many late rent payments, I’m worried I won’t have enough money to adequately feed myself, and I live in constant fear that I’ll be arrested and extradited back to Baton Rouge if I’m no longer able to scrape up money for the biweekly payments I’m required to pay to my bondsman. My worry has turned to depression and despair, but through it all, I still try to live life to the fullest and remain positive.
The biggest reason that I’ve been able to survive the most difficult financial and emotional crisis I’ve ever experienced is because of the caring and affirming community surrounding me. My network of Black queer friends and chosen family is a pillar of emotional support for me, but due to systemic inequality, they cannot provide me with an adequate amount of financial support.
I am URGENTLY requesting $7000 to help cover the outstanding balance on my bond, pay my back rent and late fees, and enable me to open a savings account for stable housing when my lease ends in August.
Meeting my goal would allow me to breathe a much-needed sigh of relief. Paying off my bond and maintaining safe housing are my main priorities and though I work tirelessly, the money I make doing bicycle deliveries is rarely enough to make ends meet.
Please donate, repost, and share so I can live freely, safely, and securely.