HyeJin Kim is a non-binary transgender person, living with autism, based in Cape Town, South Africa. As an activist and creative writer, HyeJin has spent 20+ years working on queer issues, sex worker rights, drug policy and harm reduction, and sexual and reproductive rights.

After a recent sexual assault, they have been diagnosed with severe C-PTSD (Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). This comes in the wake of having lived through years of abuse, violent attacks, and sexual assaults since childhood, with the most recent incidences taking place at medical facilities, airports, and police stations. Due to the most recent incidences, because of their C-PTSD, their quality of life has been extremely affected, both mentally and physically.

While they are doing their best to hold on and seek help, they have no family support whatsoever, and their recovery will neither be easy nor quick.

We hope that your support will help them survive during this difficult and uncertain time. We are raising funds to ensure they can afford emergency trauma counseling, long-term professional psychological help, medication, and any other medical treatment they might need.

They also need help to cover necessities such as housing, utilities, food, and other expense. Your assistance will help them to work on creating the time, space, rest, and stability they require to recover as best as possible. During this time, they will be able to refocus as part of their healing process.

From being homeless to becoming an activist working in places in Europe, Asia, and Africa - without the benefit of any formal education - HyeJin has committed their life to the well-being of so many and to social justice. Aside from their activism HyeJin is also a traditional healer who has helped many lives within and outside of South Africa through their spiritual practice. We hope that they can continue to be the ‘starlight’ that they are in the world. It is at times like this when as a community we can help someone in their darkest hour.

This page has been set up on behalf of HyeJin’s friends and colleagues, Wim and Lynette.