Finding Freedom and Community Through Matcha

For many queer and trans folks, the idea of “home” is complicated. For Jace Camarillo, living in Richmond has offered a sense of normalcy that can feel rare in the U.S. “I’m really lucky that queerness isn’t something I have to think about much in my daily life,” Jace says. “It just feels normal.”

But step outside that bubble, and life can look very different. “Whenever I leave Richmond, I start thinking about things I don’t have to think about here. Like how are people perceiving me? Am I passing as a man? I’m planning out where I’ll use the bathroom, running through worst-case scenarios. It’s a reminder of how fragile that sense of normalcy can be.”

That awareness became the spark for The Exit Plan, a project born from loss, resilience, and the desire to survive.

From Heartbreak to Action

Jace’s journey began with tragedy. A close friend, also transmasc and Mexican, took his own life. “It felt like my entire life was flashing before my eyes,” Jace remembers. “Every news story about violence against trans people. Every headline about hatred toward Mexicans. I felt like I was surrounded by the cries of my people. And from that came my own cry — I needed to leave.”

The Exit Plan became Jace’s lifeline — a way to reclaim agency, preserve safety, and imagine a future where thriving is possible. “We deserve to live and to thrive, and sometimes that means stepping away to protect what’s left of ourselves,” Jace says. “Choosing self-preservation as a queer person isn’t selfish. Wanting to live a full, joyful life in spite of everything feels like its own kind of protest.”

Matcha, Community, and a Path Forward

The vehicle for Jace’s exit? A matcha cart in Richmond. With years of experience in coffee and tea, Jace saw an opportunity to turn skills and passion into a tool for survival. “At first, I just thought it would be something fun and different for Richmond,” Jace says. “But over time, my connection to matcha has grown. Coffee has always been about energy and community, while matcha is slower, more meditative — a way to check in with myself.”

But the cart is about more than drinks. It’s about creating a pathway for queer and trans folks to leave situations that put their safety at risk. Once Jace reaches their goal and relocates — currently exploring options like Australia — the cart won’t stay with them. It will be passed on to someone else with an exit plan of their own, complete with mentorship, client lists, and marketing guidance.

“The cart is a tool to help people get unstuck,” Jace says. “A lot of queer and POC folks don’t have the money or safety net to take big risks, so they keep surviving instead of moving forward. This gives them a way to build toward something.”

Building a Network of Exit Plans

The Exit Plan isn’t a one-time project — it’s the beginning of a lifeline network. Each new owner builds a chain of support, helping others access opportunities, safety, and self-determination.

For Jace, the dream is simple: a life of peace and stability, working in cafés, enjoying healthcare access, and finally not having to constantly navigate threats to basic human rights. But the legacy is much bigger — a sustainable system of queer mutual aid, survival, and solidarity.

How to Support The Exit Plan

You can support The Exit Plan by visiting findyourexitplan.com or donating to Jace’s GoFundMe. Every cup of matcha, every donation, and every share helps someone else take the leap toward safety, freedom, and thriving.