Help a Trans Family Rebuild After Fleeing for Safety

E, B, and their daughter L fled to New Zealand for their safety as a transgender, neurodivergent, disabled, and Jewish family. Just as they were rebuilding their lives, crisis struck: job loss, health problems, unexpected costs, and depleted savings now threaten their housing security. They urgently need $25,000 to remain stable while securing permanent residency.

We are a circle of friends raising emergency support for three of the most courageous and generous people we know. After years of giving to others, they now need our help to survive this crisis and build a safer future.

E and B have been married for nearly a decade, and together they’ve created a home filled with care, creativity, and love. Their daughter L is a joyful third grader who loves science experiments, dance parties, and helping others. Before they left the U.S., they ran a free pantry from their front yard so neighborhood families had access to food and basic necessities.

It’s just one example of how this family shows up for their community.

E is a respected disability advocate and educational leader who has spent years in service of helping others navigate complex systems. B is a gifted composer whose music has been featured in major films, a beloved educator, and a recent IT graduate building a new career. Their lives have been shaped by service, art, and justice.

In 2023, growing threats to their safety as a transgender, neurodivergent, disabled, and Jewish family forced them to make the hardest decision of their lives: leaving behind their home in the U.S.

They moved forward with a thoughtful plan: E’s job was remote and stable, B retrained in a new field, and the sale of their home gave them a modest safety net. For a while, it worked. They found safety. L loved her new school. Life felt possible.

But just as life began to feel stable again, it all collapsed.

E’s job was terminated after escalating discrimination. The trauma of that loss, paired with the stress of migration, led to a serious health crisis. E is now recovering and able to work part-time in the advocacy sector but cannot return to full capacity. Meanwhile, B is doing everything possible—searching for work, holding the household together, caring for E, and parenting—all without a paycheck.

They are on temporary visas while B seeks sponsored employment, which is the only viable and secure pathway for the whole family to stay in New Zealand long-term. But as these visas will soon expire, they face a critical timing gap.

We’re raising $25,000 USD to cover essential costs from June to August 2025. Without this support, they risk losing housing and stability before their immigration process is secure. Since the family is now living in New Zealand, your support will go even further thanks to the favorable exchange rate. Every contribution stretches further and directly supports their survival.

Their immediate needs include:

Even $25 provides a day of groceries, or $100 helps cover a week of medical expenses.

This family has shown up for others time and again; quietly, consistently, and with care. Now it’s our turn to show up for them.

If you’re able to give, your support will make a real difference. If you can’t give right now, sharing this fundraiser with your network is another powerful way to help.

If we don’t meet the full goal, funds will still go directly to rent, food, and medical care; keeping the family safe and stable while they rebuild. If we exceed our goal, additional funds will help the family establish long-term stability as they secure permanent residency.

We know that when you’re giving, it helps to understand who you’re supporting. E and B are both deeply accomplished. Because they’re in a vulnerable immigration position, we’re being cautious about publicly linking their names and work. If you know them personally and would like to learn more, we’re happy to share privately. We just ask that it not be re-shared, to help protect their safety.

We’ll post regular updates to share the family’s progress and how your donations are helping.

Thank you for being part of this circle of care. Your compassion means more than we can say.