<div>This is my second GoFundMe that I've had to start, and I wish I hadn't, but unfortunately, circumstances have forced my hand to do so. I, Savannah Ocasio, have to pay <strong>$2172 for a new lawyer</strong>. So that way we can go ahead and go the route of asylum. This was my last choice to do so, but unfortunately, with the FBI being late on my rap sheet to get me into the sponsorship for this year, and with our crippling debt that we have, I have to ask for help again.

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<div>To the previous donors who helped me, I truly do appreciate everything that you guys have done, and I could not ask for anything more. You helped us pay for the lawyer at the time that we did. But unfortunately, we missed the deadline.

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<div>Since I transitioned back in 2021, I've had many instances of transphobia and racism sent my way. When I was working before then, and was considered a gay man at the time, I was ridiculed and treated horribly in my workplace at a place called Antonucci Seafood and Produce in Gloversville, NY. This bullying got so bad that I ended up almost hospitalized because I was planning to relieve myself of my current life, then go into the forest behind my house and end my life. I tell you this because this is my story. This is what I've had to deal with as someone who went from being gay to transgender. I've done nothing but try to better myself over the past few years. And mind you, I used to hate myself so much. But over these past few years, I've done amazing things to better myself and garner a community, and I really would not be here without any of you guys.

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<div>For my transphobia, when I was working in 2022-2023, I was treated horribly at the place I used to work called Ride and Thrill. I had many individuals who were, I'd like to say, thugs come up to me and either try to hit on me and sexually harass me, with one individual going as far as to look up my skirt while I was putting people into a ride. I even had an individual ask me if I was a dude, and I told them no. And they said, no, I think you are a dude. I've had people threaten me at my home, calling me a tranny, when I was living in Albany, NY. I've had people follow me off the bus, which put me on edge and had me cling to my mace that I was carrying. In Vermont, I had many people stare at me on the bus and put me on edge since I was transgender and visibly transgender. But never once did I ever face discrimination in the workplace. Vermont is the only place where I was able to accomplish that. However, we did have an instance at the mall in Vermont where a bunch of teenagers shouted out tranny and threw stuff at us.

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<div>I can safely say that the US has never been safe for anybody who is transgender or in the LGBTQIA community. Being Hispanic, I've been called many things; I've been called spic more times than I can count. I've even been called Mexican, even though I'm not Mexican. These are things that I've had to deal with in the past that still haunt me today.

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<div>Since my move to Canada, I've been on a temporary visa for visiting. I've had none of these happen to me. I felt safe on the metro, and I've had much better transitions in my day-to-day life. I've met a woman that I truly and honestly do love and care about more than anything in the world, and would do anything to be with her and love her and treat her the way she needs to be treated. <strong>If I were to be deported, not only would I suffer, but my wife would suffer as well.</strong> At the moment, I help her with dishes, and I try to make sure that I do what I can around the house, even though I am disabled. But the most important thing is I provide a sense of comfort and love and compassion, which, if I were to leave, would go away.

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<div>So I'm begging. For anybody who sees this, if you have the money to help, please. If you don't, please share this. I would graciously appreciate it. I don't want to go back to the US. Not only is it not feasible, but it would be damning towards me, and it would be life-threatening. Even if I gain temporary asylum, I'm allowed to work in Canada and able to support my wife, whereas right now, I am not allowed to work at all. Please, help us...

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Anonymous

Drew Archibald

Per Bernhardsson

Nevin Tarnowski

Justin Severinsen

Josiah Patterson

Cole Lee

Jordan Holman

Scotty Burns

Sam Melanson

sleavf Saenz

Kieran Rodrigue

Help Savannah Ocasio Secure Asylum and Safety

Help Savannah Ocasio Secure Asylum and Safety

Still $2,500 to go. Help us build momentum.