Hi friends, family, and kind strangers,

I am a transgender parent raising a son who entered this world at just 25 weeks gestation, weighing 1.5 pounds.

From his first breath, survival was not theoretical. It was urgent; it was fragile; it was earned.

Today he is bright, observant, strong-willed, and full of life. He is here because a lot of people showed up when things were hard. Now we are asking for that kind of showing up again.

We live in a state that is gradually becoming less safe for transgender people and our families. Legal protections are narrowing. The federal climate has grown more aggressive toward transgender people through policy shifts, court actions, and escalating rhetoric. What used to feel like noise now feels like enforcement.

Recently, transgender residents in another U.S. state began receiving official letters ordering them to surrender their driver’s licenses because their documents no longer aligned with their sex assigned at birth. Those licenses were declared invalid immediately. People were warned that continuing to drive could expose them to fines or criminal penalties.

That is not debate. That is not campaign language. That is administrative action.

When governments begin targeting identity documents, it signals something deeper. It signals that daily life can be disrupted at any moment.

We cannot ignore that trajectory.

This is not about politics in theory. It is about whether my son grows up watching his parent’s legal existence become conditional; whether stability can evaporate overnight.

After careful planning, we have decided to relocate to a country with stronger legal protections and a more stable environment for our family. For privacy and safety, we are not naming the country publicly.

This is not impulsive. It is structured and deliberate. My spouse has secured employment that will allow our family to be financially stable upon arrival. I am actively pursuing teaching opportunities and will continue that work once we are settled. Even if my position takes time to finalize, we will be secure on one income.

We are not asking for help building a life. We are asking for help moving toward one that is viable and sustainable.

We are also making difficult financial choices. Shipping everything we own could have cost nearly $40,000, which makes no practical sense. We are downsizing significantly and bringing only what is essential. Starting over materially is hard; staying somewhere unstable is harder.

You may notice this fundraiser is created under my grandmother’s name, Lillian. My gram took care of me when I needed it most. She is no longer here, but I feel her presence in this moment. Using her name honors her love and provides a layer of privacy as we navigate a public transition in a politically volatile time.

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What We Are Asking For

Relocating internationally involves many expenses. We are personally covering additional costs such as medical exams, background checks, document fees, temporary storage, and the inevitable income gap during the job transition. We are not asking for help with those.

This fundraiser is limited to the core, unavoidable costs:

* $4,000 USD for visa expenses

* $4,500 USD for international flights

* $8,000 USD to ship essential belongings

Total goal: $16,500 USD

These funds cover only what is necessary to relocate legally and responsibly.

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Why This Matters

Our son has already fought for his life once.

We want him growing up somewhere his parent does not have to fight simply to exist; somewhere identity documents are stable; somewhere the law protects rather than threatens.

If you are able to donate, you are helping a working family move toward stability and protection. Every contribution, no matter the size, meaningfully reduces the distance between where we are and where we need to be.

If you cannot donate, sharing this page expands our reach more than you might realize. Visibility matters.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring. Thank you for helping us take this step toward safety, dignity, and a future where our child can grow up without fear.

With gratitude