Help Mx Seo fight back against a queerphobic hate crime

CALL FOR DONATIONS TO SEEK JUSTICE AND DEFEND MX SEO

We are urgently requesting donations towards legal and transport fees for a member of our LGBTIAQ+ community. Mx Seo. She is a hate crime survivor and needs your help to get justice served in a court case against the person who assaulted her. This court case is taking place 28 September 2018 at Schweizer Reneke. Please pledge a donation if you are able to. Every cent is very much needed and appreciated. To protect Mx Seo's identity, I am running this campaign on her behalf. If you have any questions, or would like to donate directly into Mx Seo's bank account or send money instantly to her (ewallet, instant money, etc.), please contact me.

Aluta Continua

Mx Tish Lumos. [email protected]

A message from Mx Seo to those interested in contributing to her fund -

Trigger warning: mention of transphobic violence /

I genuinely hope this letter finds you in great Queer spirits.

This email is difficult to write as it's not easy for me to ask for help, but I have no other option and am in desperate need of assistance.

Without going into too much detail, as it is triggering for me, in November last year I was the victim of a hate crime by a male nurse. I was verbally assaulted by this man at the clinic and then physically attacked by him two months after while I was walking home alone. I sustained severe injuries.

I made the difficult decision of opening a case of assault against him, knowing that this would re-traumatise me, but the trauma of facing my assailant is preferable to the trauma of being victimised and not standing up for myself. In a very upsetting turn of events, my assailant has since counter-sued me by opening a case of assault against me. Not only has his case against me perpetuated the trauma, but the investigating officer has also allowed his investigation of the case to be led by his prejudice against me as a trans woman.

This has had financial implications as my lawyer has had to represent me in my assailant's case against me, and I have to pay for lawyer fees and for transport from my home in Johannesburg to the court in Schweizer Reneke. I simply do not have the financial means to pay for either of these costs and the worry about being able to be represented fairly by being able to retain my lawyer is just yet another issue adding to the trauma and extreme stress that I have been under for the last 8 months since the incident.

I am reaching out to ask for financial help: the only part of this whole debilitating drama that I can control. The case is next week, the 28th of September and I urgently need to raise between R5000 to R6000 for the lawyer and travel costs. I humbly ask for any donation towards this cause, or that you share with your networks.

Humbly, and yours in Queer love.

Mx Seo