Hello and thank you for being here!

I'm Kym Sweeny, a lawyer in rural Nova Scotia. I created this crowd fund to support a trans youth who was illegally evicted without notice the basis of their identity as a trans person. I'm not using their name intentionally for safety reasons. Rural Nova Scotia is a very small place with a high conservative population and with the increase of anti-trans rhetoric, policies, and demonstrations, being outed in a small town could attract a lot of negative attention, harassment, and even violence. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me directly. Thanks!

The youth began renting the basement of a home September 1st and was evicted today (September 29th) without notice and without cause. Shortly after moving in the youth disclosed that they were transgender to the landlord. Over the following weeks the landlord made persistent attempts to "put them back in the closet" and would frequently make transphobic and inappropriate comments to them, request that they change their appearance, and ask them to be "less visibly trans". This all culminated in the landlord suddenly informing them they needed to move out by the end of the day.

A community support worker went with the youth to collect their belongings from the home and were met by the landlord who threatened them with a metal pipe. The police were called and the incident was reported.

The youth has a place to stay for the weekend but needs to find accommodations by Monday October 1st. In the current housing market, which is even worse in small rural towns, this is an impossible task! They may be able to stay with their mother, but she lives in a different town which would cause a long commute for them to get to school. We are raising money to help the youth bridge accommodations via Airbnb or motel until they can secure something long term, pay a security deposit, and move into a new home.

If you can contribute anything to this goal it would be deeply appreciated. If you don't have anything to spare at the moment you can also show support by sharing this page with your networks.

If you are in the Lawrencetown area (in the valley, not HRM) and know of a space that is available please reach out! They require a space that is accessible as they use mobility aids and they also have a sweet service cat.

My goal is to provide some financial stability for this youth as they pursue their academics and so that they can recover from the traumatic experiences of today. And also to shower them with support and love!! Everybody deserves a home where they are safe from violence and free to be themselves. <3

Much appreciation and care,

Kym