Help a Trans Poet & Activist Get Out Of Debt & Leave the US

Hi there. My name is Nova. I'm a trans woman and activist, a self employed writer, content creator, and erotic model. I can no longer manage a healthy, sane, or safe life living as a transgender person in the U.S. and I'm appealing to the kindness of my community and strangers to help me move out of the country -- for a chance to live in peace, and ultimately -- save my life.

The Trump administration, Republican party, and the complacency of the Democratic party have already made the lives of transgender Americans a living hell. And there are rumblings of actions and policies speaking to a "final solution" for transgender Americans that are poised to move into place. For example: outlawing all gender affirming care and medicine for anyone, making it illegal or fraud to be trans, revoking passports of transgender people, limiting our movement in the U.S., imprisoning us... and making us dissapear. Much of these types of policies are written into the Project 2025 playbook -- and many of the policies of that playbook have already been brought to fruition.

Cultural discrimination against trans people is so intense in America right now that it is nearly impossible to find stable employment -- especially for a middle aged trans woman like myself. I left what had been a very successful career in corporate America over a year ago due to discrimination. For fear of being investigated by Trump's Department of Justice virtually no big American corporations will hire transgender people. My previously prosperous career in corporate design leadership in technology is essentially dead. Now, I make about 1/4 or 1/5 of what I made in the corporate world. For the past 6-8 months, I've struggled to pay bills, used credit cards to survive (accrued quite a bit of debt), and sometimes been unable to afford basics.

Estranged from one of my parents for being trans (very common for trans people) and not coming from a family of economic privilege I have been unable to turn to my family for help. As a result of my economic instability I've had to turn to credit cards to survive - and that has led to a mountain of $20,000+ of credit card debt. I plan to use some of the funds raised here to get my credit accounts down to more manageable levels.

The toll of the economic stress, unending social hatred, and anti-trans governmental policies has led my body and mind into a state of chronic stress. My mental and physical health have broken down at points. Early this summer I was sick 3 times in a 6 week spell. I've also battled suicidal thoughts on occasion. I am just emotionally exhausted by the constant discussion of trans people and hatred of trans people in the American national discourse. Recently, I've stopped drinking alcohol to improve my health and emotional well-being.

I'm considering moving to: Portugal, Spain, Costa Rica, Amsterdam, Berlin, or Athens. My hope is to enjoy a relaxed, more joyous pace of life, in an open minded, international minded culture, beyond the reach of the U.S. government. Cost of living and access to healthcare and gender affirming care specifically are very important factors in my decision.

2-3 years ago when I had a corporate career and earned good money, I founded and ran a non-profit that gave micro-grants to support queer entrepreneurs and artisans back in my hometown of Denton, Texas. Through my non-profit and other non-profits, and fundraisers; I gave out over $40,000 of my personal money. I know how hard it is financially for the trans and queer community here in the US right now... I truly believe the only way to get through this era of hate is to help each other and lift each other up.

Now, I'm trying to raise $10,000 to $15,000 to make this move, pay off a little debt, and save my life. I'm also planning to sell my car and much of my furniture and personal items. If you can donate anything: $5, $20, or $100 bucks -- every little bit helps. I am going to leave this fundraiser up for 6 months and make the move in 8-12 months.

Another way you can support me is through purchasing my books. I have some awesome trans, queer, spiritual, anti-capitalist punk rock poetry anthologies you can buy. You can find all my books here

Lastly, you will begin seeing an exodus of transgender people leaving the United States -- just as Jews began fleeing Germany around 1936. Please help as many of us get out as possible. If you can't help me right now, please help another trans person. Many of us live in poverty and will be reliant on the kindness of strangers to survive.

I consider a move abroad an opportunity to start life again with an actual fair chance at living. Leaving everything I've ever known behind is a challenge and heartbreaking, but it's what must be done in order to assure my survival. A move like this is a major spiritual event and my focus is on its spiritual power, and the incredible power of hope -- hope for being able to live life again. So thank you for listening to my story -- and in advance, for helping me <3

If you cannot donate, please help by reposting my GoFundMe, the donation link, and sharing my story.

Much love to you!

Nova✨