Hi my name is Otis, I am a queer transgender holistic bodyworker and acupuncturist, inspired to hold safe space for GLBTQTS folx in the traditional territories of the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations.    

The creation of this Queer and Trans Bodywork Health Fund arose out of the needs of those in our community who struggle with stress, trauma, chronic pain, and a multitude of other health issues, and who need a place free from stigma to receive supportive care, and who cannot afford it.  

I started the Queer and Trans Bodywork Health Fund in 2018 during Pride to rally around this cause.  I haven't been able to give from the fund as much as every week.  I have been able to give about fifteen massages over one year at this point. 

My practice offers sessions at a sliding fee scale as an effort to create more accessibility, which also means that money from this fund will go farther than most other practices. 

The goal is set at $3000.00, but really any amount would be put to good use in this case and help the Q/T fund be sustainable.  

Here’s the breakdown

$3000.00 will help 60 GLBTQTS community members 

This is a little over one a week for a year! This is calculated based on my low end of sliding scale fees for a massage sessions, which are $50 for massage and $60 for an Acupuncture/massage combo.

Funds can also be used to subsidize clients session, making a session as low as $20 let’s say, and so in this way even more people will likely be benefiting from the fund.

There are many on-going conversations happening in our city recently that identify a substantial need for accessible holistic healthcare as an issue in the transgender community.  I would like to be a part of creating more and more resources of this kind.  This Accessibility Fund is one step that can be taken right now in our current situation to work towards meeting this need for our community.  

We have set up incentives for donations if you wish to purchase services, crafts and other fun items, All proceeds from purchases go to the QT Fund.  

Unfortunately, we can’t do mail orders, purchases will be available for pickup.  We will email to arrange pickup time and pickup at my new location: 601 Superior St #2B, Victoria, BC (Superior and Government St).  Email me if this is an accessibility issue.

This is a first come first serve basis, as we are limited with these one of a kind donations from our generous community. 

If you can't donate, you can contribute by sharing this crowdfunding to your social media networks. Thank you very much for your support, every little bit counts.

Otis