Hello, I’m Mateo Valdez. My partner of 6 years, Dr. Leigh Beveridge (42), died unexpectedly in our home on the morning of August 19th.

Leigh was a beautiful man who loved birds, disco, and was Kylie Minogue’s #1 fan, to name a few of his favorite things in life. He always loved a themed party or a fancy cocktail. He was always checking in on others; often, he was always receiving medical questions from chosen family because everyone knew he loved using his medical knowledge to help people however he could. He was known for being one of the best dressed and biggest on the dance floor. You couldn’t miss him when he would be spinning around to MacArthur Park by Donna Summer.

He would often say, “We are put on this earth to take care of each other.” He was the biggest advocate for fostering community with chosen family and creating spaces filled with queer joy. I will forever be changed by loving and being loved by him; he taught me how to celebrate the everyday and to always be in service of others.

We built a life together over 6 years, and the past 4 years have been creating a home together in San Francisco. Leigh and I had just lost our partner, Tato, in December to his struggles with mental illness, and we were still healing from that immeasurable loss together. Losing both of my partners/best friends this year has been the hardest thing imaginable.

I’m a full-time veteran student in my last semester of my degree program in photography at CCSF. He was the primary income for our family, and we unfortunately were not married yet; we had planned to be married in 2027. I do not have the normal safety net that is normally available to spouses during situations like this.

I am asking for financial support to maintain stable housing in the home that I shared with Leigh and Tato for the last semester of my degree program, 4 months.

My rental cost is $5,750 per month, which would be roughly $23,000 for covering only rent.

I have a lot of tough decisions ahead of me, but for right now, I need to finish my degree because not only is it the source of my income via VA benefits but because Leigh wanted me to finally finish a degree. Moving out of my home during the semester would not only be incredibly difficult emotionally because of the memories I have here with Leigh and Tato but would also be a financial burden due to the extremely volatile housing market in San Francisco right now.

As I finish my last semester, I will also be looking for employment opportunities in the new year. These funds will provide me with safety as I figure out how to continue forward.

I know the economy is tough for everyone, and what I’m asking for is a lot. So I want to say thank you for taking the time to read this, regardless of whether you can contribute or not. Even sharing stories about Leigh if you knew him personally or condolences means the world to me.

Update-August 23, 2026:

Hey y'all,

I'm actually at a loss for words right now. Thank you so so much.

The goal of $23,000 is hit. I'll keep this fundraiser going and let y'all know that anything over $23,000 will be going toward memorial services and bills such as electricity, water, trash, and groceries

I will forever be grateful to surrounded by such a beautiful community.

Thank you.