I'm Lily, and I am fundraising on behalf of my spouse, Mik, who is at risk of being sent back to the US.

Mik and I met shortly after their move to London in 2023 and we very quickly fell in love. What started as a few dates a week turned into week-long sleepovers, and we both felt early on that we were serious. So serious, in fact, that we got married this past May! We are enjoying life as newlyweds, thinking about our future.

That future includes a precarious visa situation. In November, Mik's Graduate Route Visa expires. We are applying for the Spousal Family Visa since we are now married, but this visa is particularly expensive. Mik and I both work multiple zero hour jobs in London to stay afloat. Amid our regular bills, we have to save £4,500 for this visa's fees.

We are asking for your help to keep Mik and I together and safe. If we are unable to fundraise for this visa's fees, we may have to both move to the US or live apart, long distance until we can save the money. The political climate in the States is incredibly hostile towards trans people like Mik, as more and more policies to discriminate and suppress trans people and their rights come from federal and state governments. We fear that our queer marriage may not be recognised in the US in the coming years, as the Republican-majority Supreme Court has been scheduled to revist same-sex marriage and its legality. We also worry about my access to healthcare in the US, as I have multiple mobility and health issues.

The UK is our home. We have built a life here with budding careers in the arts and culture sectors. We have a beautiful community supporting us. We want to continue to spend our lives here, together, where we feel more comfortable. Below is a breakdown of the visa fees and what your generous donation would cover:

Applying in the UK if joining your partner: £1,407

Healthcare surcharge (no, the NHS is not free for immigrants!) for the duration of 2 years and 9 months: £3.105

Total: £4,512

Any little bit helps us continue to live our big, beautiful queer lives safely. Thank you so much for sharing and donating. We appreciate it more than you know!!