Welcome, and thank you for stopping by to take a look at our crowdfunding campaign; my name is Beth, and I am a trans woman currently living in the southern United States with my non-binary partner.
We are both seeking a new and better life further north in a blue state with trans-protective shield laws in place, and this campaign is to seek additional financial aid to help with the costs associated with such a large, necessary move.
My partner (Jon) and I have both lived in the Carolinas for much of our lives, both before and since meeting each other; everything we know or have known has been here, and leaving what has been our home for so long is the last thing either of us was prepared to do, or even wanted. However, due to the current political landscape in our country and the near-endless attacks on trans and queer citizens, especially here in the south, we've made the very difficult decision to pick up our life, move across the country, and build a new home somewhere we should be far safer, and have much better opportunities for happiness and success than where we live right now. We do have a support network where we're going, so we won't be entirely on our own, but this is still going to be a very daunting process, all the same.
Most of the logistics of the move have been sorted out, scheduled, and either paid for, or deposits have been put down, with any remainder to be paid closer to the moving date we have set in October. We're coming in under the wire at this point in terms of finances, and should be able to cover most of remaining costs, however without additional funding, we will arrive in a new region with little to nothing in savings, and only our first month's rent paid down. This isn't how I'd prefer to start a new life in a part of the country I've only seen a few times, so I'm putting this campaign together to seek additional financial aid, with the goal of easing the transition to the new state and new home as much as possible.
In short, my partner and I want the same things that I think most people can understand and agree upon; a place to call home where you feel safe, friends and family to share that life with, and the opportunity to chase one's joy, and what makes them feel whole. We tried to make that work here for decades, but over the years and countless encounters with bigots and transphobes, we're left with no other option but to cut our losses, take this chance while we have it, and try to build that better life somewhere it can not just be allowed to grow, but flourish and thrive.
"In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.
And that makes me happy.
For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there's something stronger - something better, pushing right back."
-- Albert Camus
