Hi! My name is LJ, and I’m urgently fundraising to move me and my cat Black Magic from Utah to Michigan at the start of May. I’m planning for this to be a permanent relocation and I desperately need to leave the state between terrifying anti-trans and anti-LGBT laws, a divorce from my previous spouse of 9 years, and continuing my college education. I’m non-binary and disabled by sometimes life threatening migraines, but I’m determined to build a better life for myself.

Why Michigan? I have a stable place to land there. I’ll be landing into a community that I already know and have visited, with people I know and like, and will have a support system from day one. Thankfully I have a job that can come with me, but between the divorce, moving out of my old place, and a string of health issues my finances are completely devastated. I will also be closer to my new, long distance partner who lives in Canada, which will allow me to visit her on occasion. Nowhere in the States is safe for queer people now, but Utah is getting extra scary. Day by day, more and more dangerous anti-trans and anti-gay laws are being announced, and I need to get out while I can. Being in Michigan will also allow me to seek healthcare that is otherwise impossible here, and it also has a better long term safety likelihood for people like me than Utah. Once I’m a resident in Michigan I’ll also be able to go back to school for a lower cost and be able to finally start making some real headway on getting my degree!

The money from this fundraiser will primarily go towards the up front costs of moving. I have a roommate lined up and thanks to still having a job, I should be able to get into an apartment without too much trouble but I’m a little worried about getting the initial deposit together.

This is huge, terrifying, exciting, and something I cannot put off. I need to get out. My best friend will be flying out to help me pack up my whole life and then drive across the country, stopping in hotels as we go. I don't intend to ever move back, so I'm trying to take as much with me as I can. Please, if you can spare anything to help, this is the first step into a hopefully happier future.

The cost breakdown: $6000 total to give us wiggle room. All numbers are estimated up a bit for safety.

Uhaul/truck rental: 2500

Hotels: 400

Food: 250

Gas: 500

Replacing things left behind: 850

Emergencies (IE, blown tires/breakdowns): 500

Deposit money: 1000