Paris Hilton

Jimmy  Darts

Flavor Flav

SB Mowing

Kalina Silverman / @makebigtalk on Instagram

The Dogist

Patriotic Kenny Foundation

Pattie Gonia

Little Miss Flint

Carlos Eduardo Espina

Samuel Weidenhofer

Ben Saunders - Flawless Cleaning

Peter Bond

That Good News Girl

Ask Uncle Jack

Amy Jandrisevits

FowlMouthFarmer

Tess Bohne

Latonja and Taylor Richardson

Officer Richard Craig

I’m raising funds for my best friend of more than 20 years, who is at risk of losing her home within the next week. She has a lifelong injury that prevents her from working, and for years her parents helped support her. Now they have lost their means of income, and that support is suddenly gone at the worst possible time. 
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 This is urgent because without help, she could be evicted and left with nowhere to live. She also has a house full of belongings she cannot replace, including many things my wife and I gave her over the years. I am deeply distraught even writing this, because this is someone who has saved me countless times when she was able to, and has always cared about other people through outreach programs and giving to charity. She is also a co-owner of Musicians Unite and has been the grit and drive behind hosting events, connecting with others, and being our brightest smile with a mandolin. 
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 The money from this fundraiser will help buy her time to make decisions and, hopefully, help her continue staying where she is. If that is not possible, the funds would also help cover storage and transportation so she does not lose everything at once. 
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 There is also a serious health concern. She receives medicine through state insurance, and if that stops, the outcome for her health could be horrible. Keeping some stability right now matters so much. 
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 If you can donate, please do. If you cannot, sharing this fundraiser would still mean a lot. I’m asking for help for someone who has spent so much of her life helping others, and I just want to do everything I can to keep her safe.

Operation Save My Best Friend

<div>Hello friends, both known and unknown. <strong>This holiday season, the only gift I'm asking from people is the gift of keeping my home.</strong> This ask has felt so big and I have felt so small that for months I have been silently carrying this burden alone. And I can't any longer.

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<div>Since 2020, I've been interpreting across Oregon and Washington. I found community and respect through freelance work. I've been able to represent Black presenters at workshops, Queer performers at Prides, and Trans people in spaces they thought they were alone. I've established interpreters and interpreting practices at non-profits and performance venues. In a career where I thought I was alone, I found love and hope.

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<div>Unfortunately, since the summer, my hours have significantly dropped. <strong>I've waited for them to increase again, which I now realize was a mistake. So, I am taking action and finding work, but my time is running out.</strong> Your donation will directly go to keeping my housing this winter. Any donations past the goal will go towards groceries, utilities, and car payments.

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<div>Please help me keep my housing. Help me continue to work. Help me support the people who depend on me. Help me to survive so that I can thrive.

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Help Save My Home This Winter

<div>Hi, I'm fluffy, a nonbinary trans gal who survives mostly through freelance work, and who also spends a lot of time doing unpaid volunteer work for trans-focused causes such as the <a href="https://transacademy.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trans Academy</a> and <a href="https://stanceseattle.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">STANCE</a>. In my prior life I was also a software engineer, and built software that you have almost certainly used yourself at some point, but from which I receive no ongoing financial benefit.
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<div>I have been essentially unemployed for the past two years, and only barely scraping by with the odd bit of contract work.
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<div>During the course of some volunteering work, I contracted COVID-19, and this has greatly impacted my ability to survive financially for the next few months, between medical expenses and loss of work. I have a small amount of passive income but it isn't nearly enough to sustain me while I'm unable to work any freelance jobs.
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<div>I also live in Seattle, where both housing and food are much more expensive than most of the country. I am in multiple high-risk categories, and had to make an ER trip due to one risk factor in particular.
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<div>As such, I am seeking a funding goal that will just about cover my hospital and other medical bills I have incurred, as well as three months of my basic living expenses. I hope that it will be sufficient time for me to heal and be able to return to making an income on my freelance work.
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<div>Every bit helps, of course, and it would be amazing if this modest goal were to be exceeded!
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Support a nonbinary trans gal's COVID recovery

<div><strong>Seattle's first and only trans and nonbinary chorus needs your help! </strong>We only have enough funding to reach September 2024. Without your support, STANCE will cease to exist.
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<div>In June we made the heartbreaking decision to cancel one of our Pride concerts due to a COVID outbreak, losing a full month of income. Together with grants coming in at much lower amounts than expected, and a fundraiser with low attendance, this has led to a funding emergency.
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<div>Your tax-deductible donations would allow us to continue providing not only music but a vital, life-saving community space and hope for trans and nonbinary artists.
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<div>These funds would pay for:
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<li>Rehearsal and Performance space fees
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<li>Singing masks and COVID tests to keep our singers safe
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<div>All administrative costs are donated services so 100% of your donations go to programming. Donations of any size are greatly appreciated.
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<div>Please share our campaign with your friends and family! We cannot do this without you.
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<div>Learn more about STANCE at <a href="https://www.stanceseattle.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.stanceseattle.org</a>
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</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/81023513_1719432175886348_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div>Our Artistic Director
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<div>"Funny how the lifesavers often come so unexpectedly. This incredible community has taught me that being me doesn’t always have to be “not enough” or “too much”; sometimes being my creative, awkward, emotional and bubbly self can be “just right.” Because of STANCE, for a couple hours a week I don’t have to wonder whether my existence is good enough; every rehearsal I am sure I belong, and it’s a feeling I’ve been craving my whole life. Joining our queer, neurodivergent choir has opened up a safe community space for me to explore emotional vulnerability, gender-based desires, and neurodivergent authenticity. Being a part of STANCE has helped me stitch myself back together."
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<div>- Yoshi Das, Soprano
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</div><iframe media_type="0" media_id="Rm9ine3xLDg" class="youtube-replace" title="YouTube video player" style="margin-bottom:20px;width:560px;height:315px;" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Rm9ine3xLDg/?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="1"></iframe>
<div>Our recent True Colors concert
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Help Seattle's only trans chorus stay alive

Last year when I started this GFM, I promised when I was able to provide a clearer picture of the situation, I would do so. <br /><br />In late 2019 my friend, A fled her marital home with her daughter, S.  In an act of pure selflessness, A's ex-husband's first ex-wife, M, dropped everything to take A to a shelter due to A's lack of valid driver's license and immigration status.  Then COVID hit.<br /><br />A lived with S in this shelter for over a year, dealing with two legal battles – one, for dissolution of marriage, and the other to secure residency in the US under VAWA.  During this time due to COVID A and S were very limited in how often and when they could leave the shelter.  They shared a space roughly the size of a dorm room where they spent most of their time, outside of limited outdoor play time, walks to a local outdoor play area, and occasional visits with M and her two daughters (S's half sisters, L and J) after confirmation of 2-week quarantines.<br /><br />It became apparent in the first few months that the free aide attorney appointed to A, while earnest in his efforts, did not have the time or years of family law expertise that would be needed for a case as complex as A's.  A was not able to work while she was in the US, both during her marriage and after leaving, due to her residency status – something that was held over her as a threat for years.  Her aunt back in Canada provided the funding for A to purchase a retainer at an excellent family law firm, and that case was transferred.<br /><br />At the end of 2020 we had a moment of relief – A and her ex-husband reached a custody agreement that would allow A to return to Canada with primary physical custody of S.  Her ex-husband would retain partial custody in the US and additional visitation time in Canada, something A was supportive of in wanting S and her father to have a continuing relationship.<br /><br />But the custody agreement was not the end, and A's actual dissolution of marriage hearings did not take place until 2021 due to severe backups in the court system as a result of COVID.  In the first hearing in the beginning half of 2021, only a portion of the massive case file was able to be presented and a second date was set, but not until the third quarter of 2021, the earliest available date with the severe court system backlog.<br /><br />During this time A was only receiving $350 a month in child support for S.  Her ex-husband did assist with her moving expenses but A incurred significant cost repairing her vehicle, which she could now drive again.  Upon returning to her late mother's home in Canada, A found that the tenant who had been living there while A was in the US significantly damaged the property and major repairs would be needed very quickly for S to have a healthy and safe home…and a room of her own for the first time in over a year.<br /><br />On top of this, A's retainer was nearing exhaustion.  A and her aunt took out a loan to cover emergency repairs to the home (most of which A performed herself to control costs), necessary but less urgent home repairs A could perform herself but needed materials to complete, living expenses, and payments on ongoing legal costs.  Over much of 2021 Canada has still been under significant lockdown and while A has done what work from home freelancing she could over the year, childcare allowing her to work a more regular job outside of the home has been unaffordable with what income and support she did have.<br /><br />Then, on November 8th, the dissolution of marriage judgement was finally delivered, almost two years after A originally left.  A was granted approximately 1/5 of the marital estate and 2.5 years of alimony, to provide her time to complete her education and gain enough work experience to support herself and S following a significant work gap incurred while she was in the US.  The sum was enough to pay off the loan A and her aunt took for A and S to survive through 2021 and provide a cushion for A to afford childcare to she could return to school and the workforce.<br />However, on November 9th, A received the news from her attorney that her ex-husband had unexpectedly and suddenly passed away.  A and M had the task of delivering the devastating news to their daughters while themselves dealing with the shock of the news.<br /><br />With this loss, the cold practicalities of life bear a significant weight on A and M.  A had originally been awarded attorneys fees, but those could now be coming back to her – eroding the remaining assets she was granted – we do not yet know.  Further, both A and M will no longer be getting child support, and while Social Security death benefits should be available for the three daughters, they will take time to arrange and do not continue after the girls' 18th birthdays, leaving their mothers as the sole providers for their higher education costs.<br /><br />While our original goal was to modestly cover A's legal costs, the circumstances have now drastically shifted.  We are seeking to set up small nest eggs to care for the children's immediate living expenses until Social Security death benefits are available, costs for their therapy and medical expenses (which had previously been covered in part by A and M's ex-husband), and set aside money for post high school education (be it college, trade school, or skilled apprenticeship).  The target we're setting is $30k, $10k per child.<br /><br />The outpouring of support for A and M has been a beacon of light in what has been an overwhelming week capping off a dark period in everyone's lives.  I cannot begin to express the gratitude A and M have for everyone's generosity.  In particular I want to recognize the supporters who have stood by through my vague and infrequent updates, I know it was a huge leap of faith and it means the world you took it.<br /><br />----------<br /><br />Update to clarify some important details given the size this GFM has reached:<br /><br />Originally when this funding drive was smaller in scale the plan was for the dispersal to transfer to me and from there I would wire funds directly to A and M, evenly split for each child.  However, given the significant growth in size from everyone's amazing generosity I am in the process of hiring an attorney to set up and manage a trust.<br /><br />What does this mean for dispersal?  Money will stay put until the trust is ready, after which point I will transfer it out and immediately fund the trust.  While the exact terms of the trust are pending, what I have discussed with A and M thus far is an even division of funds for each child with a large sum of each allocation set for dispersal after the age of 18 and a smaller portion of each allocation set to pay out to A and M on a monthly basis per child.  This will ensure A and M have adequate resources now for the care and support of their children as well as provide funds for education expenses of each girl after they complete high school.<br /><br />Appropriate documentation of the trust (redacted as necessary for privacy) will be shared as an update once the details are better established.

Helping Three Girls

My name is Amanda Martin and I am 21 years old. In 2015 I was diagnosed with complex partial seizures; these don’t fall under the same category as the convulsive seizures most people are familiar with. Essentially my seizures are invisible, until they are not. <br /><br /><br />During conversations I’ll appear completely well and alert, but internally I’m losing my ability to understand others words and start to forget where I am and how I got there. Outwardly there is no way for me to signal that I am having a seizure because I lose my ability to speak. The recovery afterwards leaves me confused and apologetic towards the people I’d been speaking with, because an entire conversation might need to be repeated. <br /><br /><br />In more severe cases my epilepsy becomes visible to everyone. These seizures take the form of either vomiting or crying hysterically seemingly out of the blue. During these larger events I am completely motionless and unaware of what is happening around me - even losing the ability to recognize faces or surroundings. Recovering from these more severe episodes is a lengthy process, which involves enduring short-term memory loss for up to an hour afterwards. <br /><br /><br />After trying a number of medications my seizures continued to worsen, causing me to drop out of college in early 2018. My epilepsy has since been declared medication resistant. Without the aid of something outside of pharmaceuticals, my seizures are predicted to worsen over time. Thankfully, the VNS device was presented to me as a potential solution - though to be clear it is still not a ‘cure’. It’s a device which is placed just below the skin attaching itself to the vagus nerve, which, when stimulated, could stop a seizure in its tracks. Individuals with this device are also provided with a magnet so they can activate it at will, thereby giving them the freedom to do things they might not have been able to do before.<br /><br /><br />There are so many simple things in life that I am unable to enjoy due to my condition, like going on walks, swimming, cooking, or driving. In short, the VNS implant would give me the confidence and freedom to do things I might not have been able to do before. Your generosity would be aiding me in achieving independence. <br /><br /><br />If you’re curious about the VNS device and want to learn more about it, you can see additional information <a href="https://vnstherapy.com/learn-more/how-it-works" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here.</a><br /><br /><br />Thank you for taking the time to read about my condition, anything and everything helps!

Urgent Epilepsy Treatment

<strong>DON'T NEED SOME OR ALL OF YOUR GOVERNMENT STIMULUS CHECK? WANT TO HELP OTHERS? <br /><br /></strong>Donate your stimulus money to this GoFundMe to directly support members of the Mastodon community impacted by this crisis. Whether you're comfortable donating your entire stimulus check, or just pitching in a few bucks, ANY amount helps support people who need it! Please donate! <br /><br /><strong> ABOUT THIS CAMPAIGN (gofundme community managment team, hello)<br /><br /></strong>Hi, I’m Hyperlink, a queer artist from Somerville, Massachusetts! I organized this fundraiser to help redistribute government stimulus money for members of the Mastodon community. <a href="http://joinmastodon.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mastodon</a> is an open-source, decentralized microblogging platform that is the digital home of a vibrant community of cool people. I’ve been a member of the Mastodon community for almost two years now and wanted to provide a platform where Mastodon users who have money to spare could help other Mastodon users facing financial hardship during these difficult times. <br /><br /><strong>HOW DOES THIS WORK? <br /><br /></strong> 100% of the proceeds of this GoFundMe will be distributed to members of the Mastodon community who have filled out the two-question Google form at the end of this description. Any member of the Mastodon community with any amount of need who has provided me a valid PayPal link or CashApp handle is eligible to receive a payment from this crowdfund. <br /><br />All payments from this fund will be equally sized — I will simply divide the total value of donations by the number of people who have requested aid (currently 174 people) and send everyone who submitted a valid PayPal or Cashapp their equally sized portion of the total amount raised. <br /><br />Once I am able to access the funds I will then distribute an equally sized payment to everyone who has requested a payment with a valid PayPal or Cashapp before 7pm EST on April 23. <br /><br /><br /><strong>NEED FINANCIAL HELP DURING THESE TIMES? WANT TO RECEIVE FUNDS FROM THIS REDISTRIBUTION?<br /></strong><br /><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12zThRidBX9RpcIpLfoCwK229gMxIrLEYBFl8TuvCbno" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here</a> and fill out a private, two-question form to receive money from this! Folks with ANY amount of need welcome to submit! (I had to change the form to Google Forms because SurveyMonkey tried to charge me a hundred dollars (?!?!) but if you filled out the previous form, you're all set.)

Mastodon Community Stimulus Redistribution

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the particular vulnerability of queer, transgender, non-binary and/or intersex Black, Indigenous folks and other LGBTQI+ people of color (QTIBIPOC folks). Due to our community disproportionately experiencing a lifelong arc of violence and discrimination, many of our community members are impoverished and housing unstable.<br /><br />Many folks in our community are self-employed or in the service economy, and living with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and/or compromised immune systems. <br /><br />Realizing a need for mutual aid for our communities at this time, and inspired by <a href="../f/for-artists" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ijeoma Oluo's efforts to support her community of fellow artists in Seattle</a> , Amita Swadhin launched this fund on March 14, 2020 and has since invited their trusted comrades Treva Ellison, Natalie Havlin, Carrie Hawks, Ren-yo Hwang, and Alisa Zipursky to help manage the financial records and design and manage the process of fund distribution. <br /><br />None of the people managing this fund (and none of their household members) will receive monies from this fund.<br /><br />We are prioritizing LGBTQI+, non-binary, gender fluid, and gender non-conforming people of color because we often have less ties to familial support networks, we have historically been simultaneously overlooked and surveilled by welfare state systems, our needs have been surplus to mainstream political formations, and we tend to work in the gig economy. <br /><br />We recognize that the nation-state does not provide a safety net for so many people, and that the United States government’s response to COVID-19 has only deepened pre-existing hierarchies that make people vulnerable to premature death. We hope for a world in which universal basic income, universal health care, and other functioning social systems exist. We know that what we are doing is an imperfect solution to a very large problem, but we are trying anyway.<br /><br />We did not place geographic constraints on this campaign and thus have received requests from all over turtle island that far exceed the funds we have raised. As of 11:50am on March 16, there are 451 individual requests for financial support.<br /><br />We talked with other mutual aid funds about how they decided to distribute the money they raised and decided that we wanted to absolutely avoid parsing through people’s narratives and deciding whose needs were more important than others. We agree with adrienne maree brown who quotes Lao Tzu (author of Tao Te Ching) in <a href="https://www.akpress.org/emergentstrategy.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Emergent Strategy</a> : “If you do not trust the people, they will become untrustworthy.”<br /><br />We are choosing to trust the people. We are not social workers and we refuse to replicate that position and dynamic. Most of the pool of people who have requested funds thus far are not employed full time, have a chronic illness or disability and before COVID-19 closures were already impoverished.  <br /><br />In our commitment to mutual aid, we have decided to support funding requests in the style of a <a href="https://rollingjubilee.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rolling jubilee</a> . Here is how it will work:<br /><br /><strong>THE SURVEY WHERE PEOPLE CAN APPLY FOR SUPPORT WILL CLOSE on Tuesday March 17th 2020 at 11:59PM PST <br /><br /><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QTIBIPOCCOVID19" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here to fill out the survey and apply for financial support.</a> </strong><br /><br />For folks who request funds before 11:59pm (Pacific Standard Time) on Tuesday, March 17th 2020:<br /><br />In “Round 1,” we will redistribute $100 to every person of color who is LGBTQI+, non-binary, gender fluid, and gender non-conforming who is self-employed or working in the service economy (even if they asked for less).<br /><br />In “Round 2,” if there are more funds available after the first round, we will prioritize additional fund distribution to applicants who are (in no particular order):<br /><br />Black <br />Indigenous <br />Sex Workers<br />Disabled/Chronically Ill<br />Transgender or non-binary<br />Not enrolled in or employed full-time at well-resourced educational institutions<br />Not eligible for paid sick leave through any organization<br />On the cusp of losing housing (especially looking at cities/states that have not yet passed eviction moratoriums)<br />Food insecure<br /><br /><strong>We will move folks who live at the intersections of these identities or experiences to the front of the line.</strong><br /><br />Round 2 of funds will be distributed according to the following formula:<br /><br />* Give every person who asked for $101-400 the full amount requested<br />* Give every person who asked for $401+ 60% of the amount they requested, or $400, whichever is greater. <br />* Individual grants will be capped at $1500.<br /><br />Funds will be distributed via Venmo, CashApp, and PayPal payments.<br /><br />We would like to thank all of the wonderful folks who have responded immediately to our call for mutual aid. <br /><br />We will continue to raise funds through mid-April.<br /><br />We are also distributing a list of various local mutual aid funds and mutual aid processes to every person who applied, and we are sharing our applications with several mutual aid funds. For instance, we are sharing all applications from LGBTQI+ disabled people of color with the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/disabilityjusticecultureclub/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Disability Justice Culture Club</a>  so they can assist us in meeting those requests for support.<br /><br />We also hope that you will join us in calling for rent and mortgage moratoriums, universal healthcare, free childcare and the abolition of the fear programming that tells us that we cannot collectively take care of one another and create a world in which we all live in abundance!

COVID-19 Mutual Aid Fund for LGBTQI+ BIPOC Folks

The Seattle arts community has held and nurtured me for years. Those of us in the arts community and those of us who are close to the arts community know the financial pressures that have long been increasing for those in the arts - especially for artists of color.  <br /><br />Seattle has so far been the city hardest hit by the COVID-19 coronavirus. This scary and tragic  time has a lot of people staying close to home in order to try to help prevent the spread of this virus that can be devastating to our elderly, disabled, and medically compromised friends and neighbors.  <br /><br />The widespread cancellation of group events has had a disproportionate impact on the Seattle arts community - especially those who rely on gigs to pay their bills. Creatives are people whose very existence relies on what they create and people being able to access their work. Musicians, DJ’s, independent chefs, caterers, actors, directors, writers, spoken word artists, teaching artists, all of these peoples jobs rely on people showing up for events but events are being canceled. <br /><br />I know that so far every speaking engagement I had for the next month has been cancelled or postponed, and I’m in the very rare and privileged position to be able to weather this financially. Many are not.  We’re seeing canceled events through the end of this month and it's probably going to continue to grow. A large percentage of artists supplement their incomes with part time jobs often in the service industry which is another industry that is being hit hard. <br /><br />So if you love Seattle art and the Seattle arts community, and you have the resources to, please consider pitching in to our relief fund. If you are familiar with similar fundraisers I’ve done in the past (like for last year’s snowpocalypse), you know that this money goes directly to people in the Seattle area in need.<br /><br />This fund is aimed at helping those in the greater Seattle arts community who have been financially impacted by cancellations due to COVID-19. Depending on funding levels and amount of requests, priority may given to artists from communities that have been historically and systemically economically disadvanted in the Seattle Area: BIPOC artists, transgender &amp; nonbinary artists, and disabled artists - but we will try to help as many artists with need in Seattle as we can as long as we have funds and are not currently turning away any Seattle Area artists who meet the simple criteria (living in the Seattle area, have gig/event/work cancellation in the arts, have fully completed the application). We will basically keep going until we run out of money or this crisis ends - whichever comes sooner.<br /><br />Where your funds go: 100% of these funds will go to artists who have lost income due to cancellations and work stoppage due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is emergency funding to help artists in need with rent, food, utilities, and medical needs. The amount given to each artist is determined based on how many funds we receive, how much artists have lost due to cancellations, and how many artists apply. We use these factors to calculate what percentage of each individual request we can pay each artist. We are currently giving a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $1000 to each individual artist. <br /><br />How Funds will get to Artists: We will send funds to the mailing address, PayPal or Zelle indicated in the application. We've partnered with LANGSTON Seattle ( <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LangstonSeattle/"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LangstonSeattle/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.facebook.com/LangstonSeattle/</a> </a>)  to send out payments in a timely and organized matter and to serve as an accountability and oversight partner. Langston is a 501c3 organizaton, and if you are interested in making a larger, tax-deductable donation to our fund, please use this link <a href="https://www.langstonseattle.org/donate/">( <a href="https://www.langstonseattle.org/donate/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.langstonseattle.org/donate/</a> </a>) to donate directly to LANGSTON and put "Seattle Artists Relief Fund" or "SARF" in the notes. You can also mail a paper check directly to LANGSTON at (104 17th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144). Checks should be made out to "LANGSTON" with "Seattle Artists Relief Fund" or "SARF" in the memo line. <br /><br />We have suspended applications for funds as of now, in order to make sure we can meet the needs of the 1,700 people who have already applied for assistance. We are actively working to be able to meet these needs and raise enough to be able to open applications again. <br /><br />If you are an artist in need of funds, we have a waiting list you can join <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7VK7SD6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> .<br /><br />We can get through this together.

Seattle Artist Relief Fund Amid COVID-19

<br /><br />UPDATE:<br /><br />A few weeks have passed since the assault. I am still recovering, and continue to be deeply grateful for the outpouring of financial support from so many caring people.<br />Thanks to all of you, I have been able to take time off work, which would have been impossible otherwise. Your kindness has also enabled me to pay medical bills, rent, and basic living expenses. Going forward, I have engaged the services of a certified financial advisor to determine how to translate your generosity into ongoing good. Further financial donations can be given to The NW Network and Gender Justice League. Thanks again for all the love and support that came my way.<br /><br /><br />much love and gratitude,<br /><br />Michael <br /><br />** Content Warning ** <br />Transphobia, Hate crime, Violent Images<br /><br />Dear Community, <br /><br />On the evening of Wednesday, June 22, 2016, Seattle resident Michael M. Volz was assaulted a little before midnight on Capitol Hill. Michael was attending <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/events/24212728/let-your-love-shine-a-queer-benefit-for-orlando" target="_blank">"Let Your Love Shine"</a> at Neumos; a queer benefit show and fundraiser for the victims of the Pulse, Orlando shooting. Michael left a little bit before friends to walk to their car and get ready for work in the morning. As they passed <a href="http://www.thewildrosebar.com/" target="_blank">the Wildrose</a> they were approached by a white man in an orange sweatshirt with scruffy brown hair. The man - who was a stranger - said "Hey, happy Pride" and then physically attacked. Michael was choked, punched repeatedly in the face, and kneed in the abdomen. As the man was punching and choking, he said, "Show me your tits you tranny cunt." When he finished the assault he immediately left the scene.<br /><br />Michael somehow made it back to their house driving a car while in extreme shock. Once home they were able to contact friends who helped get them to the ER. Currently, Michael is back home again after receiving medical attention. They have stitches, abrasions, a lot of pain and bruising. Some teeth are injured and their vision is impacted. But the emotional devastation and injury they have endured is so deep there are no words to describe. This GoFundMe page has been created to support the enormous healing and recovery Michael has ahead of them including (but not limited to): loss of wages, emergency and ongoing medical care, extensive mental health counseling and basic living. Anything and everything helps. <br /><br />Michael wanted us to attach pictures because this is what transphobia looks like.<br /><br />Queer Tears<br />Queer Rage<br />Queer Feelings<br />Queer Resilience<br /><br /><img class="not-resizeable" src="https://2dbdd5116ffa30a49aa8-c03f075f8191fb4e60e74b907071aee8.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/12424407_1466797806.1_funddescription.jpg" alt="" width="100%" />￼Michael on their way to Neumos, pre-assault<br /><br /><img class="not-resizeable" src="https://2dbdd5116ffa30a49aa8-c03f075f8191fb4e60e74b907071aee8.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/12424407_1466797852.4033_funddescription.jpg" alt="" width="100%" />￼Michael post-assault at Swedish First Hill ER<br /><br /><img class="not-resizeable" src="https://2dbdd5116ffa30a49aa8-c03f075f8191fb4e60e74b907071aee8.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/12424407_1466797885.543_funddescription.jpg" alt="" width="100%" />￼Michael's neck injuries from being choked<br /><br /><img class="not-resizeable" src="https://2dbdd5116ffa30a49aa8-c03f075f8191fb4e60e74b907071aee8.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/12424407_1466797926.0368_funddescription.jpg" alt="" width="100%" />￼Michael receiving medical care at Swedish First Hill ER<br /><br /><img class="not-resizeable" src="https://2dbdd5116ffa30a49aa8-c03f075f8191fb4e60e74b907071aee8.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/12424407_1466797967.604_funddescription.jpg" alt="" width="100%" />￼The flower Michael wore in their hair, covered in blood<br /><br /><img class="not-resizeable" src="https://2dbdd5116ffa30a49aa8-c03f075f8191fb4e60e74b907071aee8.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/12424407_1466798088.8246_funddescription.jpg" alt="" width="100%" />￼Michael back at home, June 24, a couple days later<br /> <br />-----<br /><br />PRESS<br /><br /><img class="not-resizeable" src="https://2dbdd5116ffa30a49aa8-c03f075f8191fb4e60e74b907071aee8.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/12424407_1466883861.3226_funddescription.jpg" alt="" width="100%" />￼<br /><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/transgender-activist-beaten_us_576da6cfe4b017b379f60635" target="_blank">Transgender Activist Beaten Following Benefit For Orlando Victims</a>  (Huffington Post)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.kiro7.com/news/north-sound-news/transgender-man-attacked-in-hate-crime-after-leaving-orlando-fundraiser/361942222" target="_blank">Seattle hate crime victim attacked after leaving Orlando fundraiser</a>  (KIRO)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ktuu.com/content/news/Transgender-man-attacked-after-Seattle-event-for-Orlando-384329101.html" target="_blank">Transgender man attacked after Seattle event for Orlando</a> (KTUU)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/police-fbi-investigating-brutal-attack-on-transgender-man-on-capitol-hill/" target="_blank">Police, FBI investigating brutal attack on transgender activist on Capitol Hill</a>  (The Seattle Times)<br /><br /><a href="http://komonews.com/news/local/seattle-police-investigating-report-of-transgender-attack-on-capitol-hill" target="_blank">Seattle PD, FBI investigating hate crime after transgender person attacked on Capitol Hill</a>  (KOMO)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.inquisitr.com/3245288/seattle-transgender-person-attacked-orlando-shooting-fundraiser-fbi-investigating/" target="_blank">Seattle Transgender Person Attacked Orlando Shooting Fundraiser, FBI Investigating</a>  (Inquisitr)<br /><br /><a href="http://q13fox.com/2016/06/24/transman-speaks-out-after-vicious-attack-on-capitol-hill/" target="_blank">Transgender man speaks out after vicious attack on Capitol Hill</a>  (Q13 FOX)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.seattleweekly.com/news/trans-bashing-survivor-speaks-2682906/" target="_blank">‘This Is Not an Isolated Incident,’ Says Survivor of Trans Bashing</a>  (Seattle Weekly)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thestranger.com/slog/2016/06/24/24258701/this-is-not-an-isolated-incident-says-victim-of-anti-trans-attack" target="_blank">"This Is Not an Isolated Incident," Says Victim of Anti-Trans Attack</a>  (The Stranger)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.capitolhilltimes.com/2016/06/seattle-police-fbi-investigating-violent-hate-crime-in-capitol-hill/" target="_blank">Capitol Hill transgender hate crime victim won’t be invisible</a>  (Capitol Hill Times)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.king5.com/news/local/hate-crime-investigation-rallying-point-at-trans-pride-march/255670669" target="_blank">Hate crime investigation rallying point at Trans Pride March</a>  (KING5)<br /><br />-----<br /><br />DEEPEST GRATITUDE TO ALL FOR EVERYTHING !!! Every penny, every dollar you give means so much to Michael and goes so intensely far in letting them know you see and you care. Your financial support has provided relief in many, many deep and important ways beyond just expenses. Michael is overwhelmed and eternally grateful. THANK YOU for showing up and making a difference.<br /><br />At this time it is still difficult to determine what Michael's healing will require financially. Due however to an unexpected but beautiful outpouring of generosity, they have requested that a portion of proceeds be donated to: <a href="http://www.nwnetwork.org/" target="_blank">The NW Network</a> and <a href="http://www.genderjusticeleague.org/" target="_blank">Gender Justice League</a> .<br /><br />Peace & Love<br /><br /><img class="not-resizeable" src="https://2dbdd5116ffa30a49aa8-c03f075f8191fb4e60e74b907071aee8.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/12424407_1466958389.2699_funddescription.jpg" alt="" width="100%" /><a href="http://q13fox.com/2016/06/24/transman-speaks-out-after-vicious-attack-on-capitol-hill/" target="_blank">￼</a>

Michael Volz Trans-bashing-Support

<p class="MsoNormal">Kate Bornstein has cancer.&nbsp; The good news, direct from the team of skilled doctors on
her case, is that the cancer is curable.&nbsp;
However, the treatment plan that gives Kate the best chance of beating
cancer is incredibly expensive.&nbsp;
Kate has spent the past thirty years helping the rest of us Stay
Alive"”now it's our turn to give back.&nbsp;
Let's HELP KATE BORNSTEIN BEAT CANCER AND STAY ALIVE!</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">This August, Kate was diagnosed with lung cancer.&nbsp; She underwent surgery, after which
extensive testing led her doctors to believe that the cancer was gone.&nbsp; However, in February,&nbsp;Kate's
doctors discovered that this was not, in fact, the case.&nbsp; The cancer was back.&nbsp; Since receiving this news, Kate has
seen numerous talented physicians and other medical professionals.&nbsp; The consensus is that Kate's cancer IS
CURABLE.&nbsp; However, Kate's treatment
plan is more complicated than most because she has suffered from another kind
of cancer--CLL, or Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia--for over fifteen years.&nbsp; Kate will undergo chemotherapy and
radiation treatment.&nbsp; She will eat
according to strict nutritional diet plan&nbsp;and she will take a large&nbsp;number of supplements that will
strengthen her body's ability to handle the chemo and radiation.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">This is the treatment plan is Kate's best"”and only"”chance at
survival.&nbsp; However, it is also
exceptionally expensive.&nbsp; While
Kate does have health insurance, she must pay the very high deductable, make
high monthly insurance payments, and make co-payments for doctor visits and
prescriptions. &nbsp;Also,
Kate has to travel to the hospitals that are best suited to administer her
unique treatment plan.&nbsp; Right now,
this means going to Chicago five times over the next two months for
chemotherapy.&nbsp; In the coming
months, she may also have to travel to San Diego and Texas&nbsp;for additional treatment.&nbsp; Luckily,
Kate will undergo radiation therapy in New York City, where she lives, but
because of her weak immune system, she will have to take
cabs to and from the hospital five days per week for at least two&nbsp;month<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:For example, s" datetime="2013-03-18T10:39">s</ins></span>.&nbsp; Additionally, insurance does not cover the high cost of the
supplements that her doctor insists are an integral part of her treatment plan.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">During the course of her treatment, Kate's immune system
will be seriously compromised, she will be exhausted, and she will experience periods of&nbsp;extreme nausea.&nbsp; As
a result, her doctors have insisted that Kate take a hiatus from work-related
travel, speaking engagements, performances, and even writing.&nbsp; For the next eight to ten months, Kate
will be undergoing treatment and recovering from cancer, so she will not be
able to work.&nbsp; This means that Kate
will have no way to pay for rent, utilities, food, pet care, or any other
normal expense.&nbsp; So, not only does
Kate have to worry about paying her medical bills, she also has to worry about
paying her basic living expenses.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">This is where we come in.&nbsp; Kate's work"”her books, lectures, performances, apps, and online
presence"”has helped countless people choose life instead of&nbsp;suicide.&nbsp;
Kate's efforts have literally saved thousands of lives.&nbsp; Now, it's time for all of us to save
the life of just one person: Kate Bornstein. &nbsp;Through our donations, each&nbsp;of
us has the power to give Kate our thanks, to be there for her in this difficult
time, and to help her save her&nbsp;life.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Please join me in donating whatever you can to help Kate beat cancer and&nbsp;STAY ALIVE.</p>

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