Trans America

I'm Calleigh.

For the last two years I've been planning a cross country skateboarding trip, from Boston, MA to the west coast. Originally I intended to end in San Francisco, but after doing some soul searching, I desire to find myself in Oregon.

My video above tells my story, but it's only the framework of what has been the hardest two years of my life. 

I came out as a transgender individual, and ever since I've been a wild rollercoaster of a life journey. Originally, I planned this skate adventure as a means of escape - I was broke, isolated, lonely, and felt no support from anybody I used to count on. I wanted to travel across the country so I could get away from everything that brought me down, and find solace in a new beginning.

But what I've learned is that problems persist no matter the location. No matter where I've been, struggle arises - it's just a fact of life.

When I first planned this trip, I ran into so many issues that stood in the way of it ever happening, and my dreams were crushed. This time, I'm an entirely different person.

My excessive drinking led to me behind bars for a DUI, which consequently caused me to drop out of school without a means to get there. I had to hold off on my graduating semester for an entire year because of it. In addition, with all of the court dates, and the desire to finally achieve my bachelor's degree, the trip was postponed.

Since then, I've grown in so many ways. After finally getting a grip on my life after multiple housing evictions, bill evasions, and the destruction of my social life, I was taken in by my aunt in Cambridge, MA. Her family gave me a place to hang my hat every night, and a new start. She sent me back to school, and fed me every single night. Without her help, I don't know where I'd be. I never knew I needed her help until I got bit by a brown recluse spider under the overpass I was sleeping under every night.


I've re-engaged with my family, and the extended family I avoided out of shame for who I was convened to show me their support. After all this time, I've become aware of how loved I really am, and that I don't need to continue hiding who I am. 

I no longer have this ultimate need to get away. Now, this cross country skate trip means so much more to me - it's going to define my future.

My intention is to cross the entire country of The United States of America unsupported. I will camp whenever possible, and make my own food on the go. Any money raised goes toward the incidentals of life - food, shelter, etcetera. All donations raised for this trip go towards propelling me towards my future - it's an investment in procuring the future I've been aiming for.

My goal is to film this entire process, day-to-day and show the inner workings of what it takes to cross the country on a skateboard as a solo adventurer. Once in Oregon, I will edit the footage into a movie, showcasing what it means to be a transgender individual who refuses to give up and to push the limits. And the final product will be used as my means to get into graduate school at the University of Oregon, where I intend to pursue a Ph. D in Media Studies. This entire venture from start to finish will be my admissions application.

My previous fundraiser raised $1030.00 dollars, which helped me gather the equipment I still have (a year later) to use for this trip. In addition, those funds helped me to create my skateboarding career, which is my testament to the fact that I have no doubt I can and will complete this trip. I have proved myself as resilient, competent, and determined to achieve my goals - but the one thing I have truly learned is that I could have never gotten to where I am, or where I'm going, without the help of others. And that's where you come in.





The planned route for this ride is still to be determined. Future updates will be recorded here, with information about how the trip planning is going. So far, my intention is to cross east to west in a bee line for Oregon. However, as a major part of this trip, I want to highlight truly what it means to be transgender in this American society - how I'm perceived, how others treat me, and what I can accomplish versus adversity. The route may change course to find other people who are just like me, so I can include them in this project.

Any leftover funds will be donated to a local homeless shelter. I was, at one point, homeless and understand the struggles of being homeless. I know what it's like to not have a bed to go home to, a meal to eat, or anybody in the world to rely on. My goal is to do what I can to help others in that same situation. I wouldn't wish it on even my worst enemies.

I emplore you to please share this fundraiser with your friends and family, in hopes to reach out to as many people as possible. I sincerely thank you for your help, and it doesn't go unappreciated or unnoticed. I'd be nobody if it wasn't for all of the amazing people I surround myself with.

Thank you!