Over the past four days, you’ve donated $1800 to my legal and living expenses fund. That’s just … wow.
I set a stretch goal to raise $3,000 for the current round of legal expenses plus some unexpected living expenses, including a trip to an oral surgeon. Even with insurance, that’s harsh. I asked folx to donate $5 for my five year wedding anniversary on Feb 2 (Groundhog Day) or $18 to represent the domestic partnership and the wedding years.
Where do the legal actions stand? Federal case still in US District Court of Appeals waiting for a decision on the motion to dismiss submitted by Allegheny County and UPMC, no update. Family Court cases (2 blended into 1) waiting on a new judge to be assigned, then a preliminary meeting with lawyers to get up to speed, then a trial date set. I opted for a trial by judge, not jury. Discovery underway, first meeting last month.
It was rough reliving some of the worst days of my life. Even worse will be reliving it again and again in depositions that I have to attend.
Defamation case, no further actions since 2023.
25 people donated during this stretch goal so far. Would you be next?
The first donor contributed $200 so I’m unsure if that represents anything in particular beyond just wanting to help. I don’t think anyone wants a 200 year marriage. LOL.
- GoFundMe bit.ly/HelpLGBTQBlogger
- Venmo @Pghlesbian
- Paypal.me/Pghlesbian
- Cash App $Pghlesbian
- Zelle sitnscoop@gmail.com
I didn’t expect to get halfway there so quickly.
I also didn’t expect a simple application for a fee waiver would lead me down a twisty path of contracts and possible subpoenas vis a vis a communication app required by Family Court. It started as a simple case of alleged discrimination based on age, disability, housing status, and income. Now it involves questions about Court contracts, privacy rights of litigants in Family Court, accessibility, trans kids, immigrants, and more. I’ve spoken with three lawyers (so far), two advocacy groups, three community groups, one immigration group, my lawyer, and by email, several tipstaff of judges, the County Controller’s office, my County Council member, several social workers, and a journalist.
Deep breath. Why do I keep falling down the twisty paths?
No progress, but lots of effort.
Because this is an investment in the legal issues and in my living expenses, here’s a glimpse into what else I’ve been up to of late.
- I took the Casa San Jose training to be a Rapid Response volunteer and plan to attend the upcoming Frontline Dignity training.
- Gertie is under the weather (literally – ha!) but a kind neighbor who also has a diesel Defender is helping get her running.
- I’m taking an eight week online class‘Hidden Histories of Rebellion in the United States’ through The People’s Forum that I highly recommend.
- I’ve been to three online workshops sponsored by the ACLU and one by a national labor union.
- Until Gertie is running, I’m a little limited but I’m trying to stay informed and focused on how I can best support my neighbors and defend our freedom.
- In January,our pet food pantry was hit by thieves who took our donations and our distributions. A week later they struck again at another location we were using for storage. It was disheartening to say the least, but the community has responded. We are hoping to pivot to a pop-up pet food pantry model and use empty spaces around the region – sort of like a third space for cat people.
- Right now, I am reorganizing our entire distribution system from a personal pick-up to all delivery by volunteers for nearly 100 households. We have great volunteers. I dream of spreadsheets every night.
- We are still trying to get the Trans & Queer Media Project off the ground. Media coverage of any trans or queer issue has changed radically even since last year so we have to pivot to be useful. That effort is a partnership with the Trans Doe Task Force and Trans Violence News group.
- I made soup and plan another attempt today,all using food pantry ingredients. The food pantry is astounding. This week, I received three prepared meals, lots of veggies, box of pasta, etc. Today’s focus is carrot and celery soup. I’m grateful for this supplement to my food resources, but also astounded by how much food is wasted. Grateful to those who redirect excess.
- I prepared Galentine Day cards for some of my friends.
- I have therapy 3x week where I am working hard to the trauma from all of this in addition to what happened before 2023.
- I struggle with attending in person actions and protests because of my police trauma. I feel like I’m letting everyone down, but the terror I feel is debilitating.
Most of my energy has been focused on the cat colony – trudging back and forth, tracking them down to make sure they are okay, creating alt feeding stations and water sources. Thankfully, they all seem fine. The most recent snow has filled in my trudging paths so that’s dismaying.
I seem pretty busy. That’s a good thing. It does take me a lot longer to do things than the typical person because of my disability, but I have time. And a warm home with my cats, food, a comfy bed, and Internet access.
As for this week, laissez les bons temps rouler (I lived in Baton Rouge for three years.)
For now, today is trash prep day so I’m off to scoop the litter boxes and pull the accumulated trash bags we had to stash in recycling bins because the trash can is frozen shut. I bet you have have stuff like that going on, too.
Thank you for walking this path with me for over two and a half years. I hope the outcomes stabilize my future and change the world for the better. Like you are changing mine.
