Previously I scratched the surface of what I thought was just a simple 'questionable' charity called Trans Lifeline, supported and brought to light by Kotaku's Senor Editor Alyssa Mercante. From KiwiFarms investigations to embezzlement of misappropriated funds... It ended up being the biggest iceberg of hidden criminal activity in a charity that I've ever witnessed.
As time passed and more information came to light, nothing (and I mean NOTHING) could have prepared me for what I've discovered about this abhorrent 'cause'.
This story is absolutely INSANE...
2018: The Beginning of the Debacle...
Financial Mismanagement: The original charity founders, Nina Chaubal and Greta Martela, were involved in significant unauthorized spending of Trans Lifeline funds. This spending was outside the scope of the approved budget and involved a project not authorized by the Board or disclosed to donors.
In my original video covering the situation I had figured time had passed and they simply grew out of pivotal roles and introduced new blood to the organization - but nope. They were booted for ILLEGAL usage of donations and funds.
It was so bad that they had to make a public statement about the illegal usage of funds and fired the founders... And that's just the beginning...
Legal and Financial Concerns: The unauthorized project led to issues with compliance regarding 501(c)(3) tax laws, necessitating a formal investigation by the Board with the advice of legal and financial professionals.
Accelerated Departure of Founders: Although the founders' departure was supposedly 'planned' (if we're to take their word for it), the financial irregularities accelerated their exit from the organization.
Obligations to Repay Funds: Nina and Greta agreed to adhere to a payment plan to return the disputed funds to Trans Lifeline, indicating a serious financial misstep that required rectification. YIKES.
Distress to the Community: The announcement acknowledged that the situation may be distressing to the trans community with a huge negative impact on the organization's reputation and community trust. It didn't stop them though.
KiwiFarms Investigates (and is shunned for doing so)
KiwiFarms describes, in detail, the tactics used in #DropKiwifarms as experienced from the inside. Say what you want about Kiwifarms, but when a corporate agenda is actively trying to hide behind being 'anti-trans' as a way to silence, remove, and ultimately attempt to shut down a website, I have some serious issues with it.
According to the Kiwifarms investigation:
For those interested in a full deep dive of the substack exposing this institutional censorship and usage of power, the link for all of it is here. But holy crap, does this situation ever get deep. As deep as you want to go. It's a never-ending rabbit hole...
But back to the specifics listed on the Trans Lifeline website:
Support of Trans Criminals
Trans Lifeline's support initiatives include paying bail and providing legal assistance to trans individuals, even if they have been found guilty of crimes. Under their Criminalization policy, their approach is rooted in the belief that the legal system is biased against trans people, often leading to unfair treatment and incarceration.
By supporting this Trans Lifeline cause, donors are actively contributing to efforts to release trans individuals from prison, regardless of their criminal convictions... Suggesting that the world is inherently 'unjust' towards trans people, and that helping them navigate or avoid the consequences of the legal system is a way to combat systemic discrimination, even if it means assisting those labeled as criminals by the law.
As covered by Hypnotic during Saturday Night Hypnosis (above), in addition to assisting criminals break free, they also assist in name changes and alternate ID's to assist trans people in hiding. YIKES 2x.
Non-consensual Hospitalization & Medical Discrimination
The organization takes the stance that Trans people often face discrimination in medical settings, lacking access to appropriate 'gender-affirming care'. Trans Lifeline avoids involving emergency services in crises unless explicitly requested, due to the potential for increased trauma from involuntary hospitalization and lack of competent care. Using back-alley, unethical, and aggressive approaches, they push gender affirmation, ruining the lives of potentially psychologically ill individuals. They push against institutionalization for people in dire need for mental institutions, all for what? Because they identify as trans?
Economic Oppression?
According to Trans Lifeline, economic hardships disproportionately affect trans people, especially trans people of color, due to factors like unemployment, lack of housing, and healthcare access. Trans Lifeline provides financial support through "microgrants" to help alleviate these burdens, focusing on redistributing resources directly to those in need without requiring proof of use. But who ultimately decides who is trans, and how much money is given? This opens up the doorway for tremendous scrutiny and potential money laundering situations.
Racism & Xenophobia Policies
Trans Lifeline then goes on to talk about the interconnectedness of racism, transphobia, and other forms of discrimination. They prioritize racial equity and reparations to address systemic injustices affecting BIPOC trans individuals, advocating for structural solutions like the abolition of policing and incarceration... Which ultimately, ironically, is racist. Then we get to the Xenophobia... and my goodness...
The organization highlights concerns for the impact of "colonialism" and state violence on trans individuals, especially focused on "migrants" and "Indigenous people". They support trans migrants and call for the abolition of ICE, advocating for full rights and asylum for trans immigrants while providing peer support in both English and Spanish. YIKES.
Ableism
Trans Lifeline challenges the pathologization of trans identities and seeks to provide affirming care for neurodivergent individuals and those with disabilities. They advocate for disability justice and offer assistance w/accessing resources, emphasizing the importance of self-determination and community care over traditional medical models.
Hiring Practices at Trans Lifeline
You already know where this is going...
Trans Lifeline states on their hiring page that they require 50% BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), which in itself is inherently racist and discriminatory towards white people. But, of course, according to this charity, that's perfectly ok - regardless of what actual employment laws state. They also require their workers to be trans... But why? What if someone is qualified to speak to another in a 'crisis' that doesn't identify as trans? Why is that a requirement? Strange...
Trans Lifeline offers their 'peer support hotline' specifically for trans and "questioning" individuals, and they guarantee that callers can speak with a trans or nonbinary peer in complete anonymity and confidentiality, without the risk of non-consensual active rescue involving emergency services.
Despite reportedly making millions in revenue annually, Trans Lifeline's hotline is only operational Monday through Friday, from 10 AM to 6 PM Pacific Time, leaving enormous gaps in availability during weekends and outside these hours. This limited schedule could be frustrating for individuals seeking support during critical times, particularly when call volumes are high, and the wait times are longer. I guess, just don't have a crisis off hours.
The organization supposedly plans to extend operations to weekends later in 2024, but the delay highlights a concerning discrepancy between their financial resources and their ability to provide around-the-clock support for the vulnerable communities they serve. It really makes you wonder what the real intentions are over there...
Overall, after looking further into this "charity", it is overwhelmingly clear to me that people supporting it either:
1 - Did absolutely ZERO research on what it actually entails
or worse...
2 - Support the criminal actions of this agenda while hiding behind the veil of "Charity"
Regardless of why it has funding, or who is donating to it - ultimately, is inconsequential. The main problem is that they are being championed by a portion of the gaming community, proving once again that these 'journalists' like Alyssa Mercante are really just activists in disguise... and it's absolutely disgusting to see being promoted by the industry at large.
~Smash