Moving Avery Jackson and family out of Missouri

Hi, I'm Debi Jackson, the mom of the amazing trans teen Avery Jackson, and a full-time advocate for transgender youth. I'm hesitantly setting up a fundraiser to help move my family out of Missouri because so many wonderful friends, chosen family, acquaintances, and fellow activists have asked for a way to support us.

For the last decade, we have been very public in support of Avery and the entire transgender community. I've devoted myself to advocacy work...and as critical as advocacy work is...it doesn't usually pay. Now we are in a moment in time where Avery no longer feels safe in our home and is ready to leave. Moving is incredibly expensive, with a lot of upfront costs, and we could honestly use some help.

For the last eight years, we have actively fought bills attacking the LGBTQ community in our home state, Missouri, and across the state line in Kansas where Avery was born. I have also supported advocacy initiatives and families across the US as they fought their own anti-LGBTQ legislation. Avery has also taken this advocacy work head-on, even facing invasive, inappropriate questions by a Senator during a committee hearing in a room full of strangers last year. The trauma inflicted by that event and the years of being literally targeted by elected officials, right-wing pundits, and the anti-equality community have taken a toll on Avery’s mental health. They need a fresh start.

My husband has closed his business — something that he has loved and nurtured for 18 years — and we have spent several weeks purging, donating, and packing all of our belongings. We've had to process a lot of big emotions about selling everything we own to be able to afford to leave the state and get Avery to a place that might offer peace and safety.

I never thought we would leave Missouri, because as a family, we know that visibility and boots on the ground are important in conservative states. But as parents, we need to prioritize Avery’s well-being right now.

If you have been a part of our journey over the years and want to support our family's work in the fight for the rights of trans youth, we would be eternally grateful.

And just in case anyone thinks we are giving up, I am still all-in on advocacy work and will continue fighting for all of our children. This move is for Avery's peace of mind.

PS -- If you see a similar fundraiser by Jon Cross, it's legit! Jon wanted to support us and set up a page, but he's in Canada and transferring money from country to country is a little complicated. If you in Canada and want to donate to his, it will get to us!