Help a Trans Teen Reach a Place Where She Feels Safe

I'm a parent facing an uphill battle for my child's mental health, but I'm fighting hard.

Since the 2024 election, a lot of trans people, especially trans youth, have felt very vulnerable and afraid. It weighed especially heavily on my 16-year-old trans daughter, and she faced a mental health crisis that landed her in the hospital and then briefly in an institution. She asked for my help in getting out of the U.S., and I researched until I found an opportunity: I was accepted to study in France starting this September.

I abandoned my American PhD program, finishing with only an MS, to pursue a DUEF (Diploma in French Studies) at the University of Savoie in Chambéry, France. I'll be taking my daughter with me as a dependent, and she will attend a French high school. My plan is to work as much as France will allow a student to work and progress toward a Master's that will enable me to seek employment in France, opening the door for her to stay as long as she needs to.

Why France? Why Now?

A lot of people think that if things get too bad, they can move to Canada. I used to think that, but no. It is very hard to move to Canada. France might also be quite tough for someone without language and culture skills, but the student visa process is relatively simple and the tuition costs are much lower. Also, good healthcare coverage is available much sooner in France than in most other countries. Chambéry is a safe and peaceful town: a place where my daughter can live and study without fear. I have already paid a year of tuition, purchased airline tickets, and secured temporary housing in Chambéry. In many ways, things are going well.

The Problem

We're a working family living paycheck to paycheck in rural Michigan. I generally work 30-50 hours per week doing various online gig work, but almost every job opportunity I've lined up this summer has fallen through or evaporated. I'm currently working just 15 hours/week, and bills are starting to get stale. The savings I had hoped to travel with have evaporated. We have yet to make a visa appointment because the cost is prohibitive.

My program and my daughter's high school classes both start in September. We need to leave by mid-August - just six weeks from now.

I've applied for every job, explored every option, but in rural Michigan with no car and limited opportunities, traditional solutions aren't working fast enough.

What We're Not Asking For

We're not asking for ongoing support. We're not asking for luxury. I know the idea of living in France feels luxurious, but that's not at all what this is. We're going to be quite close to the ground - living in a small space, using public transit, and buying/cooking our own food. We have a concrete plan: get there, my child enrolls in local school while I pursue my degree and either work in the local economy or do remote freelance writing and editing. We'll survive, and France is not the worst place to survive in, but we're not going to be sunning on the Riviera.

The Impact of Your Support

$25 - Keeps us fed for a day while we travel.

$50 - Pays for a student visa.

$100 - Pays for my daughter's visitor visa, or buys a night in a room while we travel.

$250 - Pays round-trip bus and train fare to Chicago.

$500 - Covers the cost of the visa appointment for both of us.

Any Amount - Shows my child there are good folks out there who care about the futures of trans youth.

What Happens Next

As soon as we have enough to afford the trip, I will book our visa appointments. This is the absolutely crucial need.

Additional funds will be used to support travel to the airport, train fare in France, and early expenses on the ground.

A Personal Note

Asking strangers for help is not easy. But watching your child grasp for reasons to live will light a fire under you. I have made finding a way to get my child to a place where she can thrive the center of my life. I'm willing to do whatever it takes, and I'm going to continue to look for every possible source of help. If you're able to be a source of help, you have my deepest gratitude. If you're watching every dollar right now, you have my solidarity.

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*Updates will be posted regularly. All funds go directly to travel costs and survival expenses.*