I am desperately asking for your help. I’m losing my housing on April 1 and need to find a secure place to live. And my visa expires this September and I need to start the renewal process now. What I need is your help to cover the cost of my visa extension ($4,000–$5,000), and to afford housing for the next 3–4 months ($7,000).

I can’t go back to Egypt, where I’m from, because of the rampant persecution, abuse, and torture of LGBTQ+ by the state’s security forces (tiny.cc/HumanRightsWatch). I can’t go back because I’m living with HIV and need the drugs I have access to here to lead a healthy life. I can’t go back because I’m finally treating my depression, anxiety, and ADHD and won’t be able to access that treatment there either. I can’t go back because for the first time in 30 years, I’ve finally found the space and family I needed to feel safe enough to start taking steps towards accepting, and presenting as, my authentic self.

I haven’t been able to secure a job since losing my position last March. I’ve been surviving off odd freelance work, which neither pays enough, nor consistently enough, for me to afford either of those costs. I also can’t collect unemployment, because of the conditions of my work visa.

It’s taken me a long time to get here, because I was too ashamed to ask for help. But I’ve realized that asking for help is how you rise above your circumstances, instead of letting them define who you are. I’m proud of where I come from, but I’m more proud of how far I’ve come. Please help this desert rose survive, and fully blossom. Thank you. I love you xoxo.