Help Tony & Lydia Relocate & Get Healthcare

Hi there, I'm Tony Prettyman, and with my wife Lydia we are trying to raise money to relocate away from the Florida Panhandle back to my home in Minnesota.

We are a queer couple, with Lydia herself being a trans woman, and the increasing hostilities here in the South towards folks like us, compounded with the sweep of legislative challenges that we are facing, it has made our home here unsafe. My wife is harassed openly in public, and at her place of work, for simply existing. And now with access to critical healthcare falling at risk, in addition to our own personal financial struggles, we are more vulnerable than ever.

A couple of months ago I left my job following a deep bout of depression that ultimately led to me learning that I am autistic, a revelation that has resulted in me getting back in touch with my extended family back home in Minnesota, which also happens to be a national leader in trans protections. I have relatives who are behavioral psychologists that observed that I had autistic traits at a young age, however due to the stigma at the time I went undiagnosed, and have spent the 30 years of my life up until now struggling in ways I could never understand until now, and I am thankful for this new perspective, and the opportunities for care that my family have extended to us. However, years of untreated depression compounded with undiagnosed autism has also led to enormous financial struggle for us, our debts have climbed to over $30,000 in just a few years between a few bouts of unemployment, depression, and involvement in an MLM that have left us pretty defeated. The resources and support we would have up there would be life saving, and we need all the help we can get to have this happen as soon as possible.

We have a few job prospects lined up as well as possible places to live, but of course nothing is set in stone, and without a financial safety net in place we would be in serious trouble if things don't work out just right. With that in mind, our goal is to at the very least cover the travel and moving expenses that moving from Florida to Minnesota would entail, and to establish at least a little bit of padding to carry us through our first month or so while we secure jobs and reestablish financial stability.

Any funds we raise beyond that would ultimately go towards relieving some of our debts, with the ultimate goal being getting Lydia gender affirming surgery and continuing healthcare, and towards us being able to adopt our first child. I love my wife with all of my heart, and I want to be able to provide her with a fortuitous and happy life, but I accept that I need help myself as well. Learning more about the impact autism has had on me throughout my life, I am grateful for the specialists in my family that have looked out for me throughout my life, and for the support they are extending to me now. I know that this move will be good for us, and we are thankful for any and all support in our journey to build a life together somewhere safe, where we are accepted.