Jay, a transgender woman originally from Louisiana, has been living in Denver for two years. She began by driving Uber while sleeping in her car, making decent money, but addiction and the loss of her car pushed her into full homelessness. She explains the difficulties of being a trans woman on the streets, including rejection from shelters, prejudice, and the constant need to defend herself. Despite these hardships, Jay stresses her resilience, resourcefulness, and determination to live sober. She speaks openly about past drug use—meth, crack, and heroin—but insists she is trying to live clean now, holding onto aspirations of going to school for meteorology and atmospheric science.
Jay walks miles every day, sometimes delivering food for app-based gigs that barely pay, but she sees it as a way to keep moving forward while waiting on better job opportunities. She wants stability: a job, housing, a car, and a chance to continue her transition medically. Though she has had run-ins with violence and carries a blade for protection, she insists on standing her ground and seeking respect. Her story highlights the intersection of homelessness, addiction, and transgender identity, showing both the daily struggle for survival and the drive to pursue a better future.
