I’m starting this campaign for Kate after watching her quietly struggle for over a year. I’ve seen so many people express gratitude for the impact she’s had on their lives. And when things first started to unravel, a number of you reached out, looking for ways to support her.

Kate lost nearly everything. But if you know her, you know she’d never ask for help. That’s why I’m stepping in now. So many of you have come to know and love her like I do. And if you’ve been waiting for a way to help her—this is it.

I’ve known Kate and her family personally since 1994. I’ve had a front row seat to all of this, so that’s why I’m here.

Kate had her income, access to her business, and her many supporters ripped from her overnight based on a complete fabrication. Her name was scrubbed from Badlands' official pages, erasing her co-founding role as if she had never existed. The remaining co-founder’s public narrative shifted from, ‘what Kate and I have built’ and, ‘Kate and I founded Badlands’ to a sudden, revisionist claim, ‘I’m the founder’ and ‘I’m the owner.’ That last part only ever uttered in just the last few months. This can only be remedied in court.

I know many have been wondering why she remained virtually silent. Only a handful of us knew the truth of what happened. Naturally she was shell shocked. But several things held her back. She did not want to make a spectacle of it. She wanted to protect what she conceived, loved, and built, and was also concerned about collateral damage to people who depended on Badlands for income.

The situation was made even worse by a false story about why she was removed. That lie was fed to Badlands content creators, staff, volunteers, and supporters for them to circulate. For anyone who truly knows Kate, the accusation was absurd and opposite of her true character. But anyone who knows her also knows it’s typically in her nature to quietly take the hit and walk away rather than defend herself.

When people began asking about her absence in chat threads, they were quickly met with mockery, insults, and even told to “shut the ____ up.” Some were permanently blocked from commenting. What followed was a coordinated effort to destroy her reputation through private chat rooms, one-on-one conversations, and in person at events and meetups. The campaign targeted the most loyal supporters of Badlands, always behind closed doors, never in public where Kate might see and be able to respond and defend herself. Although these tactics were deliberately covert at the time, they are now well documented.

I know Kate would have preferred to handle this quietly. The only way to truly remedy the situation is to take it to court, where evidence can be shown and the truth brought to light. We all know the process for justice isn’t free and can be very burdensome. Especially, and ironically, when your career and income have been taken from you.

If you’re able, please consider donating. Kate has always been deeply grateful for your support, and right now she’s facing an incredibly difficult chapter. Her legal fees are quickly adding up, and she truly deserves all the help we can offer. Every dollar raised will go directly toward covering her legal expenses.