I met the mayor at the Lavender Network and Transponder art show on March 30th 2025. I had three pieces in the art show, and I was glad to be part of the whole experience. The next morning I wrote a letter to the mayor because of the Transgender Day of Visibility Eugene she declared. I’d like to share the letter because it talks about what’s most important to me, my spouse Ming, and the people we love here.

“Eggs”

“Thank You”

letter to the mayor Dear Mayor, It was great to meet you yesterday at the transgender queer art show. I’m glad my spouse Ming introduced us. Thank you for attending the art show and caring about your trans and queer constituents. I was happy with the whole experience, grateful the three pieces I had in the show were displayed beautifully. Thank you for the Transgender Day of Visibility you declared. I’m glad Eugene cares about trans people like me. Something that stood out while I heard you read the declaration is that many trans people are houseless, poor, and disabled. I am heartbroken about the many people who live on the streets, by the train tracks, and in undeveloped areas. I know that with all our wealth, we could care for our most vulnerable here in Eugene. Many trans people are disabled like I am, and many have spent significant time houseless, like Ming and I have. It’s good to make declarations of support and protection for trans employees. But the truth is that many trans people are disabled, spend significant time unemployed and in poverty, and are struggling to survive houselessness. I’m glad you visited the community where Ming and I live, and met Ming as well as our friends here–thank you for caring about low income housing. asks Please support all the ways of caring for all the people of Eugene, including trans queer people. Please ensure an indoor home for all people, support us once we are housed so we can stay housed, and stop the sweeps where government employees brutally destroy encampments and take away what little the people have. Please abundantly fund Cahoots and other no barrier / low-barrier ways of caring for the most vulnerable, and stop the persecution of Food Not Bombs and other groups that respectfully feed hungry people. Recently the police threatened Food Not Bombs at the weekly food serving at Park Blocks. Ming and I enjoy feeding hungry people with Food Not Bombs; I’m a good cook. All people deserve delicious food in our bellies and a warm, safe home. Please ask the police to leave Food Not Bombs alone. Also, Cahoots is facing major funding cuts. This service is a model of care to the entire nation, showing that it works to peacefully, directly address the needs of people who are neglected by our culture and the most in danger. What a sadness, that this famous alternative to calling the police might soon be no longer. Please support Cahoots so this valuable service will continue robustly. Please stand for all trans queer and disabled people, including the poor and unhoused. Not just the professional trans queer people who can get by in mainstream culture. Thank you for caring about what all your constituents need!

Good wishes, Laura-Marie Strawberry Nopales, disabled artist