Support Grace and Christian during Pride Month

Hi everyone. My boyfriend Christian, I, Grace, and our three cats, Kevin, Oscar and Daisy, are in desperate need of assistance during this Pride Month to get back on our feet. Christian and I have faced a variety of difficulties over the past year, such as workplace harassment and discrimination, unemployment, being fired, multiple job changes, emergency room visits, mental and physical health concerns, lack of access to safe healthcare/medication, food insecurity, utility shutoffs, extreme car troubles, repossession of a vehicle, and pet illnesses.

Despite all of these struggles, Christian and I have tried to remain optimistic and hopeful, continually find new jobs, attempt to access safety and support, and make ends meet to the best of our abilities. Because we have been experiencing loss in wages, gaps in employment, and insufficient income for this long, we have deficits that we desperately need help addressing. We have been trying to keep our heads above water and pull ourselves out of this deepening hole for a long time. We have the ability to maintain stable income and will be able to independently support ourselves once we are out of this deep hole. We are just out of options and need to reach out for help.

We are hoping to raise funds to help cover moving expenses, overdue rent, utility balances, car repairs, pet healthcare, personal debt and loans, and safe and affirming healthcare.

We have an opportunity to move back to a home I used to rent in Lakewood on July 1st. I’d really like to be able to live here again- it is a very safe neighborhood socially, politically and culturally. The apartment and area we currently live in is not a friendly or safe environment for us to be ourselves. Our neighbors have stolen a pride flag from us and kicked over our rainbow rug, as well as continually misgender and deadname Christian despite corrections. This new home also has enough room for our cats who are struggling with territory issues. It will not be possible for us to move to this new house without help.

Our car (2009 Toyota RAV4) needs all four brakes and rotors, rear axle, shocks and struts, 4 new tires, and wiper blades. It has already had a new muffler and a driveshaft in the last 6 months, repairs totaling around $800. The further repairs and tires will cost $2,000-$3,000. The car has rust and 185,000 miles. It is possible this car has reached the end of its lifespan, but at this time we are attempting to repair it.

Christian has faced consistent transphobia at each nursing facility he has worked at over the last year and a half. This has led to discrimination and harassment on a daily basis, retaliation from staff and supervisors, and losing jobs/being fired for who he is. While we know all of these things require legal action, it has not been a priority as we’ve been trying to meet basic needs for a long time.

Christian, I and our cats have a life that is full of so much love and bright moments of joy. We still find time to go walking in the valley and on picnics, watch old movies and cook nice dinners, but we’ve also been struggling for a long time and desperately need community support. We cannot make it out of this hole on our own. Anything helps, and your help would be so greatly appreciated. Thank you!