Support for Indigenous woman with history of HIV criminalization
Alexander McClelland
Hello everyone, apologies for the email intrusion, however, my good friend needs help, and last time I did this it worked really well (we raised 4 grand in 2 weeks for my incarcerated friend).
This message includes info about sexual assault.
My friend is a powerful, charming, wise and wonderful Indigenous woman who was unjustly incarcerated for years due to alleged HIV non-disclosure. Her abusive former boyfriend and pimp called the police lying that she has not disclosed her HIV status to him. He was using the law as another means to control her. As an HIV-positive Indigenous woman with a history of sex work, she wasn't taken seriously by the criminal justice system. She ended up in jail and is now a registered sex offender. While inside, she missed her children and no longer has custody. Throughout her life, she has endured years of sexual violence at the hands of men. Recently, just last week, she went to visit her daughter, and also saw her father. She was really excited to see her daughter and work to rebuild a relationship with her. During the trip, my friend's father sexually assaulted her. She now has to deal with the police, reporting the crime. She told me she feels very ashamed and also fears for her safety, as she doesn't trust the system after her unjust past treatment. She doesn't want her father to ever hurt her again.
At the same time she is trying to take care of her life, but that has been a challenge. This crisis due to the violence of her father has compounded ongoing issues for her. She has been unable to get a secure job due to being a registered sex offender. This ongoing cycle of fucked up colonial racist and patriarchal violence has been taking its toll. She can't afford to see the dentist (her teeth are in really bad shape and she is in pain daily), she can't pay her phone bill (she needs it to deal with this current situation and her life), she is worried she won't be able to pay her rent, she can't afford pet food for her dog, and it would be great if she had some money to support some self-care (she loves going to the movies). She is still optimistic and is planning to go back and she her daughter again in the summer, so money to help with that would be great too.
She has asked that I don't share more information about her, so she can remain somewhat private - note: her original HIV criminalization case was widely distributed in the Canadian media, which caused her to lose all her rights to privacy, personal security and autonomy.
If you can send me money, any amount is helpful, I'll pass it all onto her directly. You can send me an email money transfer at mcclell...@gmail.com or via PayPal.me/gaydebt
Anything will help! It's much appreciated, love and solidarity!
Please share! Widely,
Alex
Alexander McClelland