“Hey Q-Q!” Shirley Raines calls out. Colourful flowers, potted vegetation and a “House Candy House” signal adorn the doorway to Q’s residence.
Q, who’s transgender and HIV optimistic, says within the episode that she felt susceptible dwelling in the principle a part of Skid Row.
“This zone is, to me, way more nicer,” Q says. “It’s a lot safer for me.”
Raines says Skid Row’s major space will be “very territorial,” in order that’s why Q and different members of the homosexual and transgender neighborhood dwell just a few blocks away.
“If you cannot defend and defend your self, you do not go to the Row,” says Raines. “You keep again right here.”
Regardless of the challenges she faces, Q maintains a optimistic outlook.
“I really like life. I really like simply the odor of nature, the flowers, vegetation,” she says. “It is a world too. We’d not have the posh issues that they’ve down there, however we’re human identical to they’re.”
A few weeks after the “United Shades of America” episode aired on CNN, Raines revealed some blissful information about her buddy: Q’s household noticed her on the present and introduced her residence.
“She’s again residence, acclimating effectively,” Raines instructed CNN this week.
Raines stated it had been 26 years since Q had seen her household, and whereas among the homeless women and men she’s labored with have gotten off the streets, only a few reunite with their family members.
“She’s sleeping in a mattress, consuming at a desk, dwelling the life that everybody deserves to dwell,” Raines stated. “She’s bought ‘miracle’ written throughout her.”