Surviving Victim of Fatal Hate Crime Needs Help

Overview
        Jayme and Jaime: To their friends, they are known as Big Jaime and Little Jayme.  They have been described as kind, sweet, and funny and were loved by those they worked with.  They were together for 7 years, married for 4 before this tragic event took the life of Big Jayme and left Little Jayme disabled, traumatized, homeless, and widowed.

About the Case
        On the morning of September 23rd Jayme and Jaime were heading out for the day when Big Jaime’s stepfather, with whom they were land mates, ambushed them with a gun.  Big Jaime died at the scene.  Little Jaime was airlifted to a hospital with critical wounds, including gunshot wounds to his hand, shoulder, and head.  The attack was premeditated and the District Attorney is seeking capitol murder charges.  There was a history of homophobic harassment from the stepfather, but the DA is not seeking hate crime charges. The killer’s motive has not yet been disclosed and the local newspapers describe it as a “family disagreement,” but as a queer community, we understand that homophobia played a role in this murder and attempted murder.

 
Jayme Sweet Jayme: A Community Focus on the Living
        This sweet and kind being is currently living in a motel with his main support, a goofy, darling pit-mix named Bruce.  In addition to all the mental health repercussions that come with being the victim of a violent crime and losing a spouse to a violent crime, Jayme is also suffering from a traumatic brain injury and has lost all use of one arm due to the attack.  His friends are desperately trying to help him obtain resources and now with the help of the National Coalition of Lesbian Rights and the Victims Compensation there is some hope to get him the support he needs.  However, none of that has come to fruition yet.  Victims Compensation will reimburse him for his motel, travel, food, etc, but he needs to have the funds up front. The money that was raised at a small vigil for his husband is now running out. We are hoping that with wider community support, Jayme can find some sense of stability that will allow him to begin his healing process.  With your support Jayme can find stable housing, seek alternative therapies, and replace the vehicle that was destroyed in the attack.

 A Call to Wider Community
        Rural queer living comes with its unique challenges.  Living rurally can be an isolating experience in general, but being queer can make the experience even more so.  Rural living sacrifices the community, the resources, and the visibility that can come with city living.  Many of us choose to live in conservative communities, where there is often no welcome, in order to fulfill our hearts desires of being in particular relationship with land, water, air, and the sun and moon.  Sometimes it takes a tragedy to remember that we are part of this greater queer and allied community.  And that we can reach out for help and support.  We do that now.  Please, whatever you can offer, to support this lovely human being as he navigates this harrowing journey.  In Solidarity, in Power, and in Love.

 
Links to News Articles:
https://kymkemp.com/2020/09/23/man-arrested-for-murder-of-28-year-old-family-member-this-morning-another-injured-says-mcso/ 

https://kymkemp.com/2020/09/25/accused-murderer-could-face-death-penalty-or-life-without-parole-due-to-1979-armed-robbery-convictions/

https://mendovoice.com/2020/09/jamie-eugene-wilcox-killed-name-released/ 

https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/2020/09/24/mcso-identifies-victim-of-fatal-shooting-in-talmage/