Help Create a Safe New Beginning for Us

Leaving a long-term relationship is never easy, especially when it’s with someone you’ve shared your life with for 12 years. It’s even more difficult when the place where you've been living no longer feels like home. This is my reality as a non-binary, Hispanic female presenting person with a liberal ideology living in Texas. And now, as my partner and I choose to go our separate ways, I find myself in need of support to make a new start.

The Struggle of Living in Texas

Texas, with its deeply conservative values, can be a challenging place to call home for someone like me. As a non-binary person, I've often felt misunderstood and alienated by the society around me. Navigating daily life when the majority of people don’t understand or respect your identity takes a toll, and it’s hard not to feel like an outsider in a place that doesn’t share or even tolerate my values.

Being Hispanic adds another layer of complexity. The growing anti-immigrant sentiment, coupled with systemic racism that exists in many parts of the state, can make it feel like you're constantly fighting to prove your worth and humanity. I love my heritage and culture, but in Texas, it often feels like I have to hide parts of myself to blend in.

And then there’s the political climate. As a liberal in a largely conservative state, it's tough to find a sense of belonging. It's more than just political disagreements—it’s the feeling that my core beliefs about equality, human rights, and compassion are not only rejected but actively opposed by many around me. Texas’ stance on issues like LGBTQ+ rights, women’s health, and racial justice leaves me feeling unsafe and unvalued.

The End of a Marriage

Ending a marriage is heartbreaking, even when it’s amicable. My partner and I have loved each other deeply for 12 years, but over time, we’ve found ourselves on different paths. We both decided that it was better to part ways now, while we still hold respect and care for each other, than to let our differences grow into resentment. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, but I believe it’s the right decision for both of us.

While we’re handling this separation with kindness and mutual understanding, the emotional and logistical challenges remain. We have shared so much—memories, plans, dreams, and even our two beloved dogs, Buster and Baxter. They’ve been my companions through thick and thin, and they will be coming with me on this journey as I seek a new beginning back East.

Reaching Out for Help

Moving is expensive, and starting over from scratch is overwhelming. That’s why I’m reaching out for help. I need to gather the funds to cover moving expenses, secure a place to live, and make sure that Buster and Baxter have everything they need for the journey. This isn’t just about leaving; it’s about creating a life where I can feel safe, seen, and supported for who I truly am.

Leaving Texas is not just a desire; it’s a necessity for my well-being. I need to be in a place where I can openly be myself without fear of judgment or discrimination, where I can engage with a community that shares my values, and where I can finally feel like I belong. Every bit of support I receive will help me take a step closer to that place.

If you can, please consider helping me with my moving expenses. Your kindness and generosity will mean the world to me, Buster, and Baxter as we embark on this new chapter of our lives. Even the smallest contribution can make a big difference, and if you can’t give, sharing my story with others who might be able to help would be just as valuable.

Moving Forward

While this journey is filled with uncertainty and sadness, it’s also filled with hope. Hope that both my partner and I can find happiness on our new, separate paths. Hope that I can create a life in a place where I’m accepted, valued, and free to be my authentic self. And hope that, with the help of my community, I can turn this painful transition into a stepping stone toward a brighter, more fulfilling future.

Thank you for reading, for your understanding, and for any support you can offer. Buster, Baxter, and I are ready to find a place to call home—wherever that might be.