My name is Maia Raymer and I’m a trans artist working in New York City who’s been making music, media, and visual art in the DIY underground since the 90s. I’m also an elder in my community who’s a mentor and mother to a whole bunch of young trans and queer creatives.

Most of the work I do is aimed at improving the lives of trans people, queer people, and SWers through art, advocacy, and community. As senior editor and creative director at Dirty magazine I give a lovingly crafted platform to their art and ideas. As an event producer and DJ I create spaces for them in NYC nightlife where they feel safe and uplifted. I've made public art promoting trans rights; loudly advocated in the media for harm reduction and against censorship; raised money for trans housing, legal defense, and health care access; and become someone a lot of people in my community rely on for guidance and support.

All of this work has made a tangible positive difference in my community, but it doesn’t cover my living expenses. The industries I've relied on for money have been hit particularly hard by AI and the economy, so my financial situation has been cutting it close for a while. Between a recent slow season for freelance work and a bout of bad mental health, I’m now coming up short.

I’m asking for your help covering my rent and living expenses for March so I can focus on executing (yet another) career pivot and getting my new teaching practice off the ground. Any funds I raise past my goal will go towards paying off past-due bills and continuing to do work that supports and celebrates my people.

I’d rather be making this money for myself than asking for donations, so if you can connect me to any work for a writer, designer, creative director, musician, DJ, or consultant, please let me know.

I’m grateful for your support.

xx

Maia