Help Us Move to Escape Trans Hate

Hello, my name is Violet, and I am a transgender woman currently living in Northern Florida with my transgender cousin, Lauren. We both grew up here in Florida and as much as we dearly love this state, Ron DeSantis and the current Florida Government and legislators are passing so many harmful and hateful bills against Trans folk and the wider LGBTQIA+ community. I have done what I can to stand up against them, but I live in a small conservative town, and leaving the house and being active can be scary. My cousin and I are both fearful to leave the house at this point. I know that this hateful rhetoric from the top will trickle down to the citizens of Florida and affect the LGBT community. And both of us have already been dropped by our HRT Care Providers thanks to SB254.

It is horribly sad what is happening here, and as a trans woman, since coming out and starting therapy and hormones, my health and mental outlook have improved GREATLY. I cannot understate how much transitioning has saved my life as well as Lauren’s. And our current government has done everything they can and then some to try to eradicate us trans folks. The laws that have passed pose very real threats to the queer and gender non-conforming community of Florida, and Lauren and I have already felt the ramifications of many of these hateful laws.

A Safer State

Although Lauren and I previously thought New Mexico would be the best bet, we have to decide to move to Oregon. I have friends, family and connections near Portland Oregon, and I have visited the city in the past so I know it. Oregon and the entire west coast in general is a very Queer/trans safe place, and thankfully we will not need to worry about our care being taken away there like it has been here. People are generally more accepting and inclusive over there, which can help when it comes to just living our daily lives and getting what we need.

To that end, we have started this fundraiser to help us save up money to move to Portland Oregon. Every dollar and cent you donate, no matter how small, really helps us take one more step towards that goal of escaping this hateful place and getting to a safer space, where we can both live freely and get the medical care we both require.

A Breakdown of Costs

Our move out date is in the middle of October, we are hoping to secure an apartment by then. We have already booked a Pet Shipper and an auto transport service to ship Lauren's car to our new home. Lauren's car is old and does not have AC, so I will be bringing her in my car so we can ensure we both get there safely. We know that we won't be able to attend well to our pets on this long trip, which is why we are relying on the expertise of a pet shipper. We will be packing a few items in Lauren's car, then everything else we will pack into my car. We will have to leave many posessions behind, and plan on taking just the basics (Our phone and computers, clothes, medications and bedrolls).

We still need some financial help, and to that end, here is a breakdown of costs and ways you can help:

$2,500 – This amount would help us cover the first three months rent and security/pet deposits for the apartment/rental home we wind up in.

$1,000 – This would allow us to safely transport our fur babies (two wonderfully emotionally supportive cats) to our new home in Portland OR.

$500 – This can go towards basic appliances we may need in our new home, including new beds since we will not be able to transport our furniture and appliances.

$100- This would give us what we need to spend a night or two at motels as we drive across the country to our new home.

$30 – This would give us a tank of gas.

$10 – This would allow us to get something to eat along the way.

$5 – And even a donation as small as 5 dollars or less would help us out. Every small amount will be saved towards the goal of leaving this state so we can feel safe again.

Every Little Bit Helps

Even if you cannot donate, posting this fundraiser link on your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any social media you have access to, and sharing it with your friends and family helps us immensely. The more eyes that see this, the more people can learn and understand how our state legislators have failed so many citizens that are just trying to live their lives with the liberty and freedom that is supposed to be afforded to us in this country.

Giving Back

We will continue to do what we can to help the trans and wider LGBTQIA+ community. One of the most important things all of us can do is VOTE. Vote against this hatred and these awful policies, not even just at the polls but, also with our money. Consider donating to charities and supporting companies that actually put their money where their mouth is and do what they can to support the LGBTQIA+ community. The more we support the diversity in all of us, the more our society grows and is bettered for it.

As previously mentioned, we will be moving in the middle of October.

I know this may seem frivolous to some, but there are so many people in danger because of what our government and legislators have done and are continuing to do. Please take a moment to look around you, remember your fellow human and provide them the support they need. We all need to know it’s okay to be ourselves, and we all need to be able to feel safe where we live.

Please consider donating to help us in this journey, and even if you can’t provide money, sharing this campaign with even one friend will mean the world to us. And if you can help out, please also consider helping those less fortunate and privileged than we are. Trans people of color are facing so much more oppression than any other part of the trans community, and everyone needs our support. Thank you so much.