Down time and lack of support

[Cindy]

OK we are going down for maintenance issues, loading new links, cleaning up. Adding new software etc.

I just talked to Sue. We are getting ready for down time.

She is worried.

How do we balance the budget?

Her reply was that she would eat once every two days and save the money on food so to keep the site going for you. She wasn't joking around.

Is that right?

We have some wonderful donors, Devlyn Marie, Warlockmaker, little old me and a few others who empty our pockets to keep this site going for you.

To be honest we don't need much, $5 from each of you.

We will be off for 12-24 hours.

While you sit in the dark, hoping to talk, reaching out and seeking a friend; have a think, is this place worth $5 to you?

If you are wealthy, and I know some of you are, can you see it in your heart to give to your transgender brother and sister?

If you are not willing to help, then what sort of person are you?

This site is for you, and for everyone. How about helping?

Forty five years ago I was living in a gutter with a needle in my arm. I'm now a fully functional woman who enjoys her life.

I'm happy.

I decided to support this site so you can be happy.

Crawling out of a gutter was hard. Running this site is harder.

We run this site for you.

Please help me to do so.

Cindy

[Rainbow Bay]

I've just become a bronze subscriber. I know it's not much but I hope it helps. It's actually kind of like being a silver subscriber for me because the Australian dollar is so bad, haha.

[Susan]

Rainbow Bay, it means a lot!

As I say in the donation banner, Together we make the difference. If 200 people got a 5$ subscription that is $1,000, 500 is $2,500 We then would no longer have to rely on the donations to cover the monthly bills. We have 22,000 members.

I have a whole list of plans to do as the site generates additional revenue which ranges from paying for news and other content submissions for the front page, seeking doctors and other professionals to share their knowledge and expertise with members, to compensating the staff, to a yearly multi-day conference that would be totally free to the transgender community, with a private conference for medical researchers who focus on trans issues.

I am looking at forming a non-profit foundation in the near term. No one here is in this for the money. We have all spent many years as volunteers.

I am also working on getting the site to the point we can seek corporate sponsorship and support. This web site is the largest transgender web site in the world. It is in the top 50 GLBT sites, but once you remove the porn and dating sites we are in the top 10. Roughly 250,000 people a month visit the site and those are a lot of eyeballs.

Working Together the members can help me to make this all happen for you all!

[Cindy]

I've just become a bronze subscriber. I know it's not much but I hope it helps. It's actually kind of like being a silver subscriber for me because the Australian dollar is so bad, haha.

Rainbow Bay, thank you! I know how bad the Aussie dollar is!

[LizK]

I can't afford a subscription    but will keep making a donation of some kind each month as long as I can...I would be dead...simple as that without this site...there are many times I have come here feeling horrible and someone has been there for me...of all the resources I have found online this has to be one of the best if not IMHO The Best. Thanks to Susan, Cindy and all the other admins and news staff for there great work...happy to help out in some way if I can.

Elizabeth K

[BeverlyAnn]

I've been a member here at Susan's off and on when I needed support since 1997.  When I say Susan has literally put 20 years of her life into this site, she has put 20 years of her life into this site!  Please do what you can to support it.

[Lady Smith]

All spent out this week with paying bills, but next week I'll try to set something up with at least a bronze subscription.  Susan's has made a big difference to my life and for that I will always be grateful.

[Susan]

Thanks everyone. We appreciate your support. No matter how much or how little you are able to do.

[MeganAshley]

Truly wish I could do more and may be able to as things progress for me but right now, my focus is on saving for GRS and laser for this stupid facial hair. Hehe.

That being said, as I come into extra "mad money" rest assured that I will redirect as much as I can to this wonderful resource for our community!

*hugs*

[Susan]

Truly wish I could do more and may be able to as things progress for me but right now, my focus is on saving for GRS and laser for this stupid facial hair. Hehe.

That being said, as I come into extra "mad money" rest assured that I will redirect as much as I can to this wonderful resource for our community!

*hugs*

We understand that MeganAshley. Our fundraising and our pleas have always been aimed at the people who are able to step up and help to support the site, and are willing to do so. We don't look down on anyone who is not able to contribute for whatever reason ever.  But sometimes people who are able, need to be reminded that the need is there.