Making a change for real people in Los Angeles
Solidarity. Not charity.
Trans Defense Fund LA
I am the founder of Trans Defense Fund LA, a mutual aid organization that provides safety resources to trans women of color. Since creating this organization, I have been able to assemble safety kits and distribute them to over 2,000 transgender and non-binary individuals all over the United States.
I own the entire brand, creating everything from the website to merch, to graphic designs, social media posts, and community events. I partner with grassroots organizers, small businesses, local BIPOC trans-centered organizations, and big brands for event activations. All fundraising is done via Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, and I have raised over $50,000 purely through grassroots donations. Securing partnerships with mainstream companies and platforms like Grindr, Johnson & Johnson, Glossier, Youth to the People, and more has been an amazing opportunity to spread awareness about this work.
The origin story
In August of 2020, it was a record year — at the time — for violence and murders against trans people, specifically Black and brown trans women. When three trans women were attacked on Hollywood Blvd. just right down the street from where I worked, it struck a nerve because absolutely no one did anything to help out.
I wanted to take action and provide trans people with safety items to be able to live life feeling more secure. I started a fundraiser to provide at least 100 people with pepper spray and surpassed that goal, raising $20,000 overnight. Through those donations, I was able to supply 300 people with kits, and I had over 100 volunteer signups in one week.
Free food for all!
Glassell Park Community Fridge
I started the Glassell Park Community Fridge, a project part of Los Angeles Community Fridges (LACF) that provides free food for all in the community.
I sourced the fridge for the neighborhood and managed the operations and logistics of keeping the fridge running, assisting with fridge maintenance, and collaborating and communicating with neighbors, local businesses, and food justice and housing justice efforts. I also run the Instagram account, create graphics, and manage our community Slack channel.
Los Angeles Community Fridges' mission is to strengthen communities and redistribute existing resources by providing tools and frameworks to ensure people-supported, ongoing, equal access to healthy food.
