Hello darlings, I’m Marlyne. A Black Lesbian Montreal local known to some for my performances as Carmen Mayhem and Uncle Marly and in the ballroom scene. I am the founder of Sweet Like Honey, a grassroot initiative that creates events catered for individuals who relate to the lesbian/sapphic experience while highlighting BIPOC artists, talents and small businesses. It is a labour of love, but I rejoice in the vast representation we display and by bearing witness to the connections formed. Yet, my welcoming smile hid a plethora of traumas that limited my mental and financial capacity. The little that I have, I poured into my community work and it was my lifeline through those dark times. Though I have worked relentlessly to heal and improve my financial and mental situation, I find myself needing your help today. A few days ago, I was served papers informing me that I will be forced in court if I did not repay a longstanding debt. I didn’t have the means to pay it then nor do I have the means now. I am thus raising funds to avoid having to deal with this matter in court and to take this load that has been weighing on my shoulders for a long time.

In Spring 2022, severe depression and anxiety were eating me alive. My place of employment advised me to see a doctor. I was placed on a disability leave for 6 months while I worked with a doctor to find the best medications for me. Since then, I have been in an endless back and forth with my work insurance company for my disability cheque to cover that period that I was not paid. My case is still pending. Before being on disability leave, I was represented by a real estate agency that charged me a monthly fee to be under their banner. My contract was still active and I explained to them that due to my current circumstances I could not pay my monthly fees because it was either that or my rent. They covered it until the end of my contract with the knowledge that I would pay them back when I would be capable. I went back to work at the end of December 2022, but struggled to work consistently due to the emotional and verbal abuse that I was experiencing in my personal life. In April 2023, I reached a breaking point where I felt like I was drowning which affected my work attendance. I spent the Spring and Summer 2023 unable to work and continuously being bounced around the public health system to be left disappointed. On my own, I still worked hard to drag myself back to shore and start my healing journey. With the last of my savings, I booked an appointment with a private doctor who informed my work that I could come back, but only on a part time basis. I went back to work at the end of August 2023 and have been respecting my part time schedule that I will continue to have in the upcoming months. I have managed to survive on little to no funds this past year even though the cost of living keeps increasing. Performing helped me stay afloat, but I injured both of my knees at the end of this summer and haven’t been able to book performances since. I’m grateful to be able currently to be back at work, but I live paycheck to paycheck and on credit and still I do not have the means to see a psychologist or a physiotherapist. I do not make income from Sweet Like Honey, I often have to cover certain costs from my own pockets. All of this to say, I didn’t have the means to pay the real estate agency my debt. I have been transparent with them all year about my situation. They decided that they were tired of waiting and this is how I was served papers.

The funds raised will be used to pay off my debt to the real estate agency and help me avoid having to settle this in court. I don’t know how much more stress that I can bare in regards to this. Black women are often left to carry the burdens of the world on their shoulders alone because we are seen as strong. It’s deeply engraved in me and makes it very difficult for me to be honest and vulnerable in asking for help. I tried to think of a thousand other ways to resolve this issue, before sitting down and choking my feelings about creating this GoFundMe. I hope that my positive impact and efforts on our community have been seen and felt. I hope that I can lean on my community for support. All contributions are greatly appreciated and if you are unable to donate at this time I would invite you to please share this post with your networks. Thank you