Help Trans kid and family flee Florida.

Hi my name is Kim and I am the mother of a wonderful trans 5th grader.

As I’m sure you know, Florida has passed multiple anti trans laws including one that allows the state to take custody of a child at the mere suspicion they may receive or be “at risk of receiving” gender affirming care.

To be honest, I tried to slow my child down in their gender expression. I tried to have them “wait” and “take it slow”. My child responded by leaving me in the dust! They successfully socially transitioned at school all by themselves. All their friends and teachers use their chosen name and sometimes pronouns. It’s been a year and a half and I see no signs of them turning back. They came out to our close family on Easter. We have other family that I unfortunately cannot allow them to come out to as it may compromise our safety. Especially now. I also haven’t mentioned any of this on social media for the same reasons.

There is no way for me to have my child hide who they are nor would I want them to. They are out, that’s it. Unfortunately that makes them a target now. Never did I think that legality would enter the conversations we are having at home with my beautiful first baby. At any time, someone could call in a complaint and have a warrant issued to remove my kids! I have two 11 year olds and a small baby. There was an assembly at school today and they called out my kids chosen name. It should have been a moment of celebration and acceptance but all I can think about is some bitter person taking note and turning us in. Next year, I don’t think the teachers can legally support them even if they wanted to.

Not to mention any medical treatments are going to be impossible and we are almost at the age to start discussing these things.

My partner agreed almost right away that we have to leave which honestly surprised me and cemented in my mind that this is the right path.

We live paycheck to paycheck and relocating is not financially possible on our own. The plan was to go next year with tax returns but I am so afraid we won’t make it that long. It would also be best if we could get settled before the new school year. We are requesting funds to move our belongings, make up for the wages that will be lost while moving, get our car trip-ready, get into a new place, and have time to find new jobs and and childcare. We have a small city in Illinois picked out and we don’t know anyone there. It’s a leap of faith.

I am willing to answer any questions as long as they don’t compromise our safety.