Hi, I’m Crystal :) I’m a trans woman and for the past two years I’ve essentially been living authentically only in my private relationships, but living entirely closeted publicly and to my very Mormon family. I came out to my dad two years ago and it didn’t necessarily go well. I had to begin hormone therapy in secret because I had no one safe to tell. This is why coming out has been … rocky. Despite the housing insecurity and family abuse I’ve endured for years I was able to start hormone therapy which absolutely saved my life, my livelihood, health and well being, stability, and mental clarity. My hope in a happy life moving forward had renewed and a blanket of fog lifted and everything was … Crystal clear ;) Years of chronic anxiety and discomfort evaporated, and literal tension in my back and hips.

Sadly the past three years of van life have actually been a severe fight of survival and endurance of an intense housing crisis. The lack of privacy and ability to properly care for myself has made transitioning feeling impossible. I told myself I would transition as soon as I got out of van life. Thanks for the unspeakable kindness and generosity to those who have already donated I’ve been able to have a roof over my head for over a month and actually sell my van to help fund my transition. I was not prepared for the immediate sense I would feel to leave the country. I’m here now in Portugal, endlessly thankful for the support that has got me here. Due to unforeseen obstacles I lost $1,000 of donations from planning a trip in a country where my medical needs were not accessible. I booked a BNB, even with insurance, and was not able to get a dime back. Here I am in Portugal and I have just enough to eat for the next few weeks. If you can donate to help cover the cost of medical coverage here (thank god it’s so cheap in Portugal!) or even some basic clothes or transportation, it would only allow me to create more content to then try and monetize consistently as income. I don’t need much, just a little breeze to cast my sails.

My goal is to raise $10,000 because it means I could afford temporary housing while I search for a proper long-term residency and health care.

I’m asking for support to cover the cost of housing, transportation, possibly a laptop, and some season appropriate clothes (I’m freezing and I don’t have socks ) Not only will this enable me to flourish and thrive, but I’ll have the physical safety and means to take care of my health while in the early stages of transitioning.

Every donation, no matter the size, means I’m closer to a safe space which will really allow me to embody the woman I’ve always known myself to be. Your support means more than you know!!

If you can’t donate, sharing this campaign also means the world to me.

Thank you for seeing me, for supporting me, and for all the nice messages. As I find a home I will surely have more energy to balance rocks, so there are many more rock sculptures with a fresh mani on the way :)

— Crystal