DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have a trans female friend who is having a difficult time and I don’t have any suggestions for her. She’s living in her car, having been thrown out of the house by her ex-wife and cannot find a job though she is willing to work. She also has legal issues she needs help with. Are there any agencies or support groups where she can get some assistance? Thanks for any help you can provide. — No name, no town

ANSWER: MaineTransNet (https://www.mainetrans.net, info@mainetransnet.org, https://www.facebook.com/mainetransnet) is a community-based organization led by transgender people for transgender people. They provide peer-to-peer support groups, social and community events, advocacy for the transgender community throughout the state, and much more.

Equality Maine (https://equalitymaine.org/, 761-3732, info@equalitymaine.org, https://www.facebook.com/equalitymaine) is another organization that can provide resources.

Equality Community Center (https://eccmaine.org/, 613-9633, info@eccmaine.org, https://www.facebook.com/equalitycommunitycenter/) in Portland houses EqualityMaine, MaineTransNet, PFLAG, Pride Portland!, SAGE Maine (a program of EqualityMaine), Cross Cultural Community Services, Democracy Maine, and Khmer Maine. Their programs make a difference in the lives of thousands of LGBTQ+ people through advocacy, education, community events and support.

There are many types of events scheduled here throughout the year.

The Transgender Law Center (https://transgenderlawcenter.org/, 1-510-587-9696, info@transgenderlawcenter.org in Oakland, California, has an online form to inquire about support, tools and advocacy.

Your friend is dealing with issues that aren’t necessarily gender-related and there are so many avenues to get help. Start with 211 Maine (https://211maine.org/, dial 211 or text 898-211, or info@211maine.org. There are many resources available and she can talk to someone who will guide her in the right direction.

If she has a primary care physician or other health care professional she trusts, that would be another resource.

The town she lives in could also help with possible emergency funds, signing up for affordable housing, etc.

Readers, if you have other resources and ideas to share, please let me know.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m being bombarded by fruit flies. I come home with fruit I love from the grocery store and the flies are all in a row waiting for me to put it on the counter so they can jump on it and chow it down. They follow me around the house if I try to eat in a different room. I hope you can help. They’re eating me out of fruit. — No name, Lisbon

ANSWER: They’re a pain! And it sounds like you have quite an infestation. Start by giving your home, especially your kitchen, a very thorough cleaning. This includes disinfecting all surfaces, trash cans, drains, etc. and continuing to keep everything squeaky clean.

Fruit flies can breed in drains especially, and once they begin reproducing indoors, females are able to lay about 500 eggs and the eggs will hatch in as little as 24 to 30 hours. Yuck.

Store any produce in the refrigerator, at least until you no longer see the flies around.

Fill small containers with apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dish soap then cover with plastic wrap and poke a few holes in it to make traps. Place these around the kitchen.

You may also want to check out sticky fly traps and ultrasonic pest repellers. And if things get really bad, call an exterminator. Sometimes it really is worth it.

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