Bethany grew up in Connecticut to a lower middle-class family and from an early age struggled to find respite in an abusive household. At age 13 she became homeless running away from what she called a “bigoted and racist household.” Later, she attempted to obtain a college degree as a veterinarian but suffered a traumatic brain injury from a car accident and became addicted to opioids. She described finding care from “gangsters and drug users” who provided food and shelter throughout her years living on the streets. She cites that the LGBT community won’t look and acknowledge her when walking by. Her message to them is: “say hi, introduce yourself, remind me I’m not alone.”