Untangling Worth

​As rays of sunlight beamed down on our faces in early August, we joined Artemis in a conversation that offered a different perspective on homelessness. “My childhood was hell. That is the only way to describe it. I started my life with my biological parents. Then I was in the foster care system for some time, and ended up with my adopted parents. I have siblings that are both biological and adopted. I have lived all over. Apparently I was born in Iowa, but my first memories are in Utah. I have been in La Crosse for a while now.”

Artemis outlined solitude, survival, and rejection through different walks of life. “I don’t speak to my adoptive parents anymore. I disowned them. They put me in the Salvation Army after high school and so I have been doing what I can to survive. It has just been me since I was 18. I am 31 now. I have experienced chronic homelessness. This time I have been homeless for about a month or two. It isn’t easy. One of the hardest parts is that many people are not accepting of the trans community. It doesn’t help that I don’t have an easy way to shave out here.”

Many people continue to search for a path in life that leads them to happiness. Artemis describes how sometimes the path we look for remains hidden. “I don’t know what brings me happiness. I guess I am still trying to figure that out. One of my proudest moments was when I maxed out my rank on the online multiplayer video game called Halo 4. I was really proud of that moment. I used to want to be a graphic artist or a game designer, but I don’t know now. I used to draw, but I just don’t have the inspiration anymore.”

Chronic homelessness often accompanies feelings of hopelessness or feeling stuck. When sharing their story, Artemis provided us with a perspective on both of these feelings. “I really haven’t thought of my own goals in years. I have no idea where I will be in one year. In five years, I will probably still be out here, but I hope I am not. I spend a lot of my days just coping and trying to survive. I play video games and watch anime. I guess that is my true passion.”

Artemis left us with a challenging message and reminder to see people as people rather than the stories we create about people in our minds. This message resounds a kindness we often forget to extend to all people, not just people similar to ourselves. “There’s a misconception about homelessness being all one type of person and that’s clearly not true. We are all unique with different stories, different current stories, and different backstories. Get to know someone before you judge them. For the trans community, I would say, don’t give up. The world may beat you down, but do your best not to give up.”

Authors’ Note: Survival manifests itself in a variety of ways. Survival comes as we experience trauma, hopelessness, and despair. Coping with this trauma remains an integral part of survival and we must take time to understand what this looks like and how we can provide support to others.

Resources: No one should go through life alone. Let others help.
7 Rivers LGBTQ Connection
​Call 2-1-1 or go to the website for a variety of resources to support the LGBTQ+ community.

​Artists’ Note: This photo holds dual meaning. One layer of this photo aims to capture support for the LGBTQ+ community, more specifically the trans community, to which Artemis supports and identifies. Another layer of this image sheds light on the two arrows pointing in different directions to depict the unknown paths of our journey through life. Though we wander, we are never alone.