A photo of us hoisting a transgender-anarchist flag during an antifa protest somewhere in Germany.

Dear friends, it pains me to ask for mutual aid when so many bad things are happening in the world, but we got an unexpected bill for 2536,17€ at the worst possible timing, and as a single-income mother of 4 I have nowhere else to turn to.

https://ko-fi.com/transmom/goal?g=22

Many of you in the fediverse know our situation: We are a 100% immigrant, queer family in Germany, including both my legal children and also found-family homeless trans youth who had nowhere else to turn to. We are politically engaged in the anarchist, antifascist, and ecological/forest defense movements. After many years here we're currently applying for citizenship and solving paperwork issues that will allow everyone to study, work and live without fear of deportation. We fulfill all requisites, in theory; but the bureaucracy is hellish.

Yesterday we got a letter informing us that our electricity costs have increased over 3.7 times, retroactively for 2024. This was not an increase in our power consumption, but on the fees. This sudden raise was common accross Europe but due to the way that bills work in Germany, we are expected to pay the difference—2536,17€—all in one go, before May 19. There might be a way to negotiate payment in installments with the utility company, but we have to pay it regardless. Moreover our monthly power bill went from 85€ to 316€ (!), which plus the installments will be a real hit on the monthly budget. We will of course be radically saving electricity from now on, but again due to the way bills work in Germany, that will only make a difference after 12 months, for the next adjusment.

This is bad timing because many of our visas are about to expire, in less than 3 months, and government agencies are very slow to respond. Our citizenship applications were made more than 6 months ago but we had no answer yet, so now we're forced to apply redundantly for a residence visa renewal (which itself cost over 350€). During these applications our finances are examined, and I have to prove I have the means to maintain my family here. Getting into debt at this point could be catastrophic; after almost a decade here, my job, their school, passports, our whole life here would be lost.

Please do prioritise in your mutual aid people undergoing genocide, or in warzones or direct life threat. I will also continue to do so, once we're out of this hole. But if you have the means to share some cash with us, even if we don't cover the full bill, the more we can cover of it the better our situation will look before the gaze of immigration authorities. Even small amounts like 1 or 2 bucks add up. If you're in no position to help, a boost is helpful also. Once our budget is in the green again, your generosity will be passed forward. Help us stay here and I guarantee we'll keep supporting queer people, creating art, punching nazis, and generally agitating the Imperial core from the inside. Thanks for your kindness 🙇♀️

#mutualAid
https://ko-fi.com/transmom/goal?g=22

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A photo of us hoisting a transgender-anarchist flag during an antifa protest somewhere in Germany.

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