We are raising funds for our beloved drag star, performer, youth worker, and community member Jas/Perry Yay! Seltzer.

Jas recently injured themselves performing at the Pride main stage this June. Despite being insured, this injury has resulted in thousands of dollars of medical bills including a $1000 ER Bill, $1700 for knee braces, and more for MRIs, specialist visits and physical therapy. While we do not know what the full cost of these procedures will amount to we do know it will be in the thousands, not including the lost income due to gig cancellations.

If you only know Perry Yay! through performances and drag, you may not know how much they do four queer and trans youth in San Francisco. Jas is the manager of the youth drop in space at the LGBT Center. Every day they put their heart, soul and resources into making sure queer and trans youth in this city are able to live safe and healthy lives. I have personally seen Jas go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure our kids remain fed, housed and full of hope. It is very difficult working in this field but every day Jas shows the youth of our queer community that there is still hope, joy and love to be found. I have watched them change countless kids lives and I know that it pains them greatly to have to take time away from our kids.

In addition to their day job in youth services, Perry Yay goes above and beyond to make the drag and performance scene in the bay an inclusive and welcoming space for all of us especially our most marginalized members. As a fat black trans performer I have seen the ways they have used their platform to bring opportunities to new performers in the scene. Perry has been instrumental in supporting many trans performers get gigs especially trans women of color.

Jas lives and breathes for community. So many of us would not be in the places we are today without them. I am personally devastated to have to see them take a step back this summer and hope we can come together as a community to help get them back on their feet and able to support our kids and our community.