To our family, our friends, and our allies

With things in places like Florida, where we live, for LGBTQIA+ persons, getting worse and our own living situation getting dramatically more unlivable and abusive, the decision has been made between myself and my partner to pack our things and move. We always intended to leave the state for greener, more accepting pastures, but we no longer have the time to wait and save up.

The home we’ve been living in has become more and more unlivable, literally full of holes and falling apart. I’ve personally sustained injuries from events like the porch collapsing from under me, ending up with a broken bone. This, on top of interpersonal issues with family, means that we are not safe. Verbal threats are as constant as the leaks during rainy days.

It is for all these reasons and more that we turn to you all for support and help in this difficult time. We have a little saved, but to cover a move across states is more than we can afford. Travel, transport for belongings, and a safety net before new employment can be found are all facing us.

The initial goal is $4K as that would help us

safely and swiftly get out of this awful situation and settle into a new place in Oregon. Reaching a total of $10K would guarantee us a safe move, covering moving costs and living expenses including rent and groceries for a few months. We hope you can forgive us for not sharing more intimate details, but for our safety we’re keeping the exact plan and final location private.

While it was our plan long before this, it’s been difficult to come to terms with needing to move so abruptly and need such help for it. Being queer, and being disabled, many opportunities are closed to us, and it is by turning to our communities both local and abroad that any of us may find the strength to keep going. We are forever grateful to those who can assist, for you are the light that shines against the darkness.

Our thanks, love, and appreciation,

Michelle