I’m asking my communities to help me and my house in this urgent time. The queer safe house I administered in Laurelhurst for eight years, where so many have eaten, slept, partied, and found community, will soon be sold. We have until the end of this month to move out.

There are three trans persons that are now struggling to create new homes and handle the expenses of vacating our current one. One member of the household has employment issues, as a lot of trans QTPOC do, and has left the house early with discontinued contact. She leaves behind her July rent of $750 and has amassed a backlog of bill debt totaling $1300. I’ve had to hire a junking crew at $500 to clear out the remnants and debris left in her space and from the many queer people who have found safety in this house.

These expenses now fall on my shoulders, and that financial strain is significant - having stood so often in this gap to cover similar costs to support this house and community. This, along with the urgency of our timeline, has made it necessary to ask for community support.

I need to now ask for any help that you can give. This house has a profound history of community building for LGBTQ Portland. Through this situation, and in these times, we are all yearning to find peace - a light in the darkness. Please help!

With a fervent desire to move on…I thank you so, so, so much -

- Nic Petersen