Help Us Help Fleeing Trans Folks

Hi, my name is Esther, and I am both infuriated and incredibly sad that this fundraiser has to exist.

Some friends and I are organizing to help persecuted trans-Southerners relocate to Minnesota. Our plan is to help those that reach out by getting the air/bus/train fare or rides that they need to make the journey north. That's not enough of course - we need to connect them with housing, direct them to job opportunities or social workers, and get them food. In some cases, these towns are so rural that they will need to be driven over an hour to get to a bus or train station.

I spent 15 years of my life in Tennessee. I lived in Columbia for two years and then lived in Knoxville for 13. During my time in the state, I met a lot of absolutely amazing people who were kind, accepting, generous, and selfless. We protested together, marched both locally and in DC, worked on local campaigns, and gave each other mutual aid whenever someone didn't have enough without asking questions or expecting anything in return.

The sweetest, most amazing ones that wear their hearts on their sleeves? They don't identify with the gender they were assigned at birth. I recently had the opportunity to move to Minnesota for work, and it seems like evil and fascism have stopped trying to hide in the South. A lot of my Southern trans friends are trying to move - and if you've ever asked yourself, "Why do they live somewhere like that? Why not just move?" The answer is money. Moving for your safety is a traumatic experience, and we need to reduce the barriers that make it more difficult. Being able to start from scratch across the country is a luxury that few can afford.

Here are a few resources you can use to look up recent anti-trans laws passed and bills in the South:

ACLU Legislative Attack

Transgender Equity Center Map

The following is a public Facebook post from a person who hit everything spot on. I don't know her personally, but her explanation is succinct: Post by Hannah Lee Parker

'You belong here' MPR

Iowans Move to MN

Any funds raised will be used to put together the infrastructure and have the resources ready to go for those who reach out for assistance. We intend to register as a nonprofit in order to try to get grants and issue tax-deductible receipts.

Please fill out the following forms if you are interested in participating or collaborating:

Volunteer Form

Partner / Resource Collaboration Form