Help Nyah, a Trans-Drag artist, stay housed!

Edit: 6/1/25 

Full story about the job: 

May 27th 2025 myself and my partner went for an interview for a catering company. We was hired instantly. The owner of the company gave off the impression that he needs back to back shifts for the upcoming season. The next day we work as Ceremony staffing for. MIT. I wanna say we was outside for about 7 hours in total. I noticed major red flags, but being desperate to make sure we don’t lose our housing. Constantly being told all the time “get a job” by folks who don’t know the full story and talk based on what they think they know . Funny enough how we found this job was through a Queer Boston Job Facebook group. we were just honestly happy to be working together again like we use too. Seeing my boyfriend having a sense of purpose leading his team. Throughout the day, was good signs. That we are getting back on track. After so many jobs ghosting him. I was happy, as well as he was as well. To be back working.    The first red flag was when we arrived. Dozens of people were working for the company for the first time. And I started to think when exactly when was all of you hired. The 2nd red flag was, as mentioned I found this job surfing through Facebook groups and saw a posting. It explained what the job was and how much the pay is and if you like you can keep picking up shifts. I saw we can makes $20 an hour. Which was .50 more than what my boyfriend and I made as PCAs. And it’s $2 more than my first job. Which was ideally why I had us apply. We know our worth. We get there and one of our co-workers (turns out many) where told a different hourly rate. I - myself wasn’t worried cause I know I passed my serv safe test. And have certification on serv safe so I know with my certificate I can make $20-25 an hour. (Context: this job is like a catering company) Which is what I put down for myself. When asked on the google form. 2nd red flag was, our boss who hired us/interviewed us started to feel undermined by the MIT STAFF. And quite frankly the owner didn’t know how to lead. In my opinion. Being told one direction seconds later back tracking and covering his butt cause the MIT staff was getting on him. TBH he just threw us all in and expected magic to happen. I tend thrive in chaos so I stepped up and became “leader” cause there was no direction or order. And my experiences working at clubs, Events, i just know what to do. As the ceremony continues I noticed our boss is MIA. Didn’t utter a word or announce he was leaving. 3rd red flag. I’m like okay, well it’s hot, it’s 70°. Maybe he’s cooling off in one of the buildings . Turns out he left for the day. Didnt point anyone out to me to who i should report to since he left. The staff of MIT noticed how much of leadership skills myself and my boyfriend had. They thought we was working directly with their team. At this point I just knew our vulnerability and desperately needing to work was being preyed upon. 4th redflag, was apparently back in our interview the owner said there would be a 3 week delay period. Where we would have to wait and pick up the check from His office. Which at the time I thought was fine cause many jobs I had before. In my experience sometimes takes a while to process things especially when changing over to a new system Apparently that’s unethical, according to a HR person I spoke too. We was fine waiting 3 weeks for pay, if that meant my boyfriend can pick up shifts in between that period. And just let his hours stack. As well as mine when I pick up shifts . Then Thursday hits, i message our boss asking if he needs us Friday. Again thinking we would be able to pick up more shifts for May-June. Didn’t get back to me until after 8pm and I already came to a conclusion we wasn’t needed. I told him that we can’t do it. But we are able to do the next gig. That’s when he told me all the shifts for June has been filled. When he didn’t say that to us during the interview. Now we are irritated actually furious. We was under the impression he would be working back to back. Since the season is like now. Just overall the experience was a much needed insight for the both of us. So now we are waiting on like $100 each to be processed. No shifts available for us to pick up. This was supposed to be our way up. And now it feels like we took so many steps back. I know not all money is good money. I tell myself this all the time But just seeing how happy my boyfriend was happy to return to the workforce. Made me happy. So this is why I’m here. We are so close to making rent that’s due June 5th. $125 (counting the app fee) is how much is due We already decided the funds from this job is going towards July 5th rent. Cause mid June is when the pay is processed. My goal on GoFundMe is automated generated to increase cause life has been super unpredictable for us. That we need a safety net. Until my boyfriend lands a more stable job. We are asking to help make $125 but keep sharing our GoFundMe so we can keep up life. 

Edit: 5/30/25 

My boyfriend secured a new job. As well as I so we can get back to stability. However we won’t see our first days paycheck until mid June. Due to the job  under going a new system. We just found out as of 5/29/25 that the new job. We both landed shifts are filled for June. We was not aware of that. Or else we would have prioritize a more stable job. Which means my boyfriend is out of work until July. 

And We are back to one income. 

We paid $667  towards the rent that’s due on June 5th. We are so close to making rent. 

Edit: 5/5/25  We paid off Rent that was Due May 5th. We are so thankful for our community for supporting us and helping us get back to being on our feet. I was able to enjoy my birthday on 5/2 and not worry about rent being behind. Or specifically not being able to celebrate my 25th birthday. Thank you to my friends, family, community members. For being so awesome and kind. It’s been a Journey and I’m just happy to be able to keep a roof over our heads 

4/22/25

Hello everyone, thank you all so much for taking the time out to read what’s been going on. As some of you are aware, I’ve been working hard and trying to form stability for myself and my partner. Ever since being evicted, living off the streets to us forming stability. My partner building his credit up so we can get a place for ourselves. We was on track. September 1st we moved into the Allston area. After working our butts off from 2023-2024. We were both personal care assistance. We made $19 each. Ranging 20 hours each a week. We were taking care of this guy whos disabled. But it’s stated to become clear. My partner and I were uncomfortable. So flashback to April 2024 I posted in a Facebook group. That my partner and I have these skills. And what can we do with these skills. Then a random person hit me up. Saying they need PCAs. And they explained the duties, trainings and all. It seemed like the perfect fit. My partner and I get to work together. Make money together and go home together. Just living the dream of stability. This person even housed us, we watch their dog in exchange for housing whenever they checked themselves into the hospital. Which was bad for them, but hustling and Surival mode. It was our come up. Then we noticed a slight change in the person. How they started to talk to me a certain way. And my partner would ask me am I fine with the way he was talking to me. Not asking me for help but demanding and or being snappy . And I would just chalk it up to oh they are disabled and going through a lot in and out of the hospital . Just had one of their closes relative pass. I always give people the benefit of the doubt. Which sometimes bites me in the butt

Back in December of 2024. My partner and I had to forcible remove ourselves from a toxic work environment. Due to racial slurs (n-bombing) being used in a discussion between how to properly address people when you are in need of help from them. Our former boss tried to blame his medication for why he was off that day. I tried to forgive him and move on. Since I rely heavily on us working there. However knowing he had used racial slurs against myself and my partner. I couldn’t bare with it. My partner was processing everything.

From there, I had a mild back up plan. Myself and my partner after discussing the issue with our former employer. We need to leave. I figured since I worked retail I was able to keep up with necessities. The holiday rush was great for us. We was able to make funds for rent, and my partner had his savings as well. After the holiday rush, my hours were reduced to a non livable wage. Only 10 hours a week. 2 shifts a day, 3 if anyone called out. I was making $15 an hour. That was not enough to pay off February’s rent.

So I begun posting more about my finance issues. Making sure to communicate with everyone what’s going on. I was lucky enough to post on Facebook group that I’m in between jobs. And I’m desperate. I even offered my services as a dog walker. Just so folks know I can work hard.

Thankfully a person who commented said their job needs a server. And the pay is $18 an hour. That’s $3 more than I was making as a cashier. And I’ve always wanted to work in a kitchen. So I did everything they need me to do. I passed my background check, drug test, ServSafe certification test.

with this job I was able to step down from cashier. And start to do drag as my other part time job. And still work as a server. Which was helping me balance my personal life with my work life. Since my cashier job didn’t respect the fact I had to perform. I got to have a taste of what it is like to be my own boss when starting to do drag a lil more consistently . Just being able to showcase my skills as drag trans artist.

this while my partner is job hunting, going on multiple interviews a day. But no leads. Sprucing up his résumé and cover letters.

life started to become expensive. Then I saw this opportunity presented in a Facebook group that there’s a group that pays you $50 a week for 4 weeks to attend their meetings. So I did that. I started to attend meetings every week to ensure I could get that check. Knowing I was gonna use that towards March’s rent. While my partner applied for a relief fund that was granted to him. And helped us pay off March’s rent in full.

which helped me a ton, the relief fund offset costs for me since I have to make sure I put funds away to keep a roof over our heads . And was able to help me set funds aside for April’s Rent.

paid off April rent but was short by $35 bucks which our roommate covered.

life been hard, full of hurdles and inconsistencies. Which is why I started to vocalize more that I need help. I started to apply for more drag shows. Cause at this point I at least get to have fun. And make funds meet. Interact with my community and network. Which I love. I’m a community builder. I love forming relationships and resources with people around me. Then that started to become costly for myself. Since I’m very anxious to travel alone in drag. Just fearing I’ll be sexualized, demonized, the whole 9 yards. So I rather Lyft, uber so I can avoid the general public lol.

Please understand that I’m a transgender woman I rather stay overly cautious than not about my safety. I run on flight or fight. And was diagnosed with c-ptsd in 2021. So when it’s in my head that could be in danger. I simply believe it. So I stay home which means I missed a show. Sometimes my partner is able to come with me. If he’s not overstimulated or isn’t busy himself.

which brings me to Now, my birthday is May 2nd. It is April 29th when I decided to make this. I want to be able to know that for my birthday I was abele to feel more stable.

I realized a while back, I want to reform myself and not put myself in situations where I have to rely on my body to get things done. I’m trying my best to no longer be THAT stereotypical girl, no shame to those who do it. I can’t no more (censoring myself).

I look back at all the things I’ve done and allowed for myself . I’m on the cusp of 25 and I want to be more stability in my life. I don’t want to run on flight or fight. I don’t want to do those things. That put my life & physical body in danger. So I rather do dog walks, drag, burlesque and work a 9-5. But sometimes I have to ask for help. I am one person. My partner is doing his best to get back on his feet. He’s fixing his bike so he can DoorDash. But he needs to fix the tubing of the wheels. Since there’s a hole in the wheel. And wants to fix the brakes.

this is where I turned to my community. I’m asking for folks to redistribute, donate, step up and share this.

I have about half the rent made for May ($430) I might even have more to contribute since there’s a direct deposit that hits my account May 1st. I need help with reaching the other half my rent. In total it’s $786 plus the $35 I owe my roommate. So 821 Hoping this gets seen and more visible as days goes on. And hoping funds can also go towards replacing the tube and fixing the brakes of the bike. So my partner can start to do courier service.

Our rent is due May 5th 2025. And that’s truly what I want for my birthday. To know that rent was able to made. Which will help me start setting funds aside for June.

if you are able to help with us with this ask, that would blow my mind.