A growing refugee crisis is occurring in the United States, and it is getting very little coverage. I highlight the growing migration crisis, the people fleeing, and the laws they are fleeing from.
We are not leaving Texas (married to trans adult) but we heavily considered it during the legislative session. Almost every parent of a trans child is moving out of Texas if financially able.
One of my good friends is fleeing Florida after living here for over 50 years. She ran away to live here as a teenager, fleeing an abusive foster home in NY, and she says Florida feels the scariest it’s ever felt as a trans woman now. She built an amazing life here, and now she is leaving. It’s heart breaking.
Yes, many people I know are or have already left. We would leave if we could, but unlike many we have a little more time. We are staying as long as we can to fight, and creating a safe bubble for our child in the meantime (school that is super affirming, etc). But we have an escape plan ready if we need it, but it would mean abandoning a lot. I’m hopeful with how litigation is moving here. Cautiously optimistic for the first time in a long time.
My husband and I are proud parents of two transgender daughters ages 20 and 13. We also have 17 and 12 year old cisgender sons. We are moving from FL to MA on July 6th. Like so many other families leaving FL we are losing our whole extended family and friends. We were fortunate enough to buy our dream house 5 years ago and now are starting over in a fixer upper home with double the interest rate. Moving is going to have a negative ripple effect on our retirement and finances. It’s worth it for our daughters to have access to healthcare, feel safer in the community, and go to schools that will respect them and their pronouns, and not try to erase them. Our family will always love and support our daughters and choose what’s best for them.
That's so terrible, but try to remind yourself that you guys are going to be okay. Having to flee really sucks, but it sounds like you're a loving family who support each other and that's the most important thing by far.
I'm waiting for a mifepristone-like maneuver from a radical right state that seeks to nationalize some sort of ban on trans Healthcare, whether that be HRT related or by some other means. You KNOW they want to.
Please stop thinking the role of law is the only thing that matters. Look what is happening in Florida and other states. All those brand new and horrible laws are running into constitutionality issues and their implementation is being delayed. Does that mean trans folk are receiving health care? No, they are not because the medical institutions are being cautious and pulling their services "just to be safe". Thus there are no active laws banning many services and those services are still being denied.
It’s a far more complex a scenario than you describe. And of course it’s not just enacted laws that drive discrimination, and the author never implied that. But you’d have to admit that laws matter, a lot, in determining people’s actions, which is not to say there aren’t other factors. Of course there are.
I noticed that the 55-64 range has the smallest number of moves. It's the situation that I am in. I work for an amazing and inclusive company in Indiana for over three decades, my pay is good and I'm not ready to retire yet, I really need another 5 years and my pension will be so much better than if I leave now and take a new position at another company, even if the pay is better, I'd be worse off financially. I live in a rather safe place to be trans in this state even if it is a very red state. Even my small city is still red possibly purple for next election. However, Indiana could be the next TN, FL, or TX, the bigotry of Indiana politicians are no different and they have the supermajority votes. I have helped numerous individuals and mostly families within my area with both funds and/or a place to stay if traveling thru my area. Let us all help those who need some assistance however we can. There are many tiny groups of just a few people coming together to help one at a time. I've also helped known individuals thru GoFundMe.
On factor that may be playing into the 55-64 range is where they presently live. It is possible most of them are living in safe States. I’m in the 65+ age range and living in a safe State, having chosen long ago to NOT live in any State that has/had less than favorable transgender policies.
Perhaps, but I relocated to Indiana from NY in 1987, I was trans but not out and didn't have the terminology. I only expected to keep the job for a few years but I'm still here. If you are in HI, it's where we would like to retire to eventually. However the costs has risen faster on HI than other places. I wish I purchased a home there 10 years ago but working remotely was not an option yet at most companies. I can work mostly remotely now but do need to go on campus occasionally and I am expected to have some overlapping hours with my EU colleagues thats hard in HI.
*nod* when I transitioned I was in California where I’d moved (seeking more community in the mid 80s) to from Colorado. Hawai’i is difficult financially for many and likely that isn’t improving soon. California allowed me to find community and to be out . . . Colorado had not yet reached that point.
I can't bring myself to read this (yet). I just came home from a 'see ya later' dinner... I don't want to say goodbye... and yet, two of my child's close friends are leaving... one next week and the other in a month. It is a bittersweet moment. While I am happy for their families, and excited and grateful they are able to do this - - I am (selfishly) sad for my child and myself.... and for the supposed great state of Montana. [And chuckling now, wondering if they read this sub, too! LOL] Montana is losing some great people. :( And for a state with such limited resources... that's.very.sad!
I live in a state that doesn't seem like it'll get *too* dangerous, fortunately, but my sister's in Montana and I literally don't feel safe visiting her any more. So unnecessary and sad.
So just remember that this is the first sign of trouble , if books are banned , that means things are going wrong. It means that you are surrounded by force, fear and ignorance, that power is in the hands of barbarians.
I'm in Missouri. Kansas City, to be precise. And while I've considered it, I'm not ready to leave; I'd rather stay and fight. And we've had some (small) victories. The ban on adult trans care enacted by the AG was lifted, and KC just declared itself a sanctuary city for trans folks. The mayor and much of the city council are friendly to us. So while I won't fault anyone who decides to leave, things could be a hell of a lot worse here.
Thank you so much for your ongoing work. Our family was one of the ones lucky enough to have the resources to leave Missouri. Do you know of organizations where we can donate to help others facing this decision?
The Bay Area is an option for me, still expensive but we have multiple campuses in that area that I technically could transfer to and maybe keep my acrueing pension - lots of companies we purchased in 35 years under the umbrella of the company I work for. The pension is a legacy one and may or my not transfer and still grow. Nice chatting and I may need to seriously consider this option.
I'm in Texas and I have 2 kids in college here. I'm hoping to be able to stay until they're done, but after that, if not before, I'm definitely heading to a safe state.
Avery Jackson’s family is raising funds to relocate from Missouri, where Avery’s mom, Debi Jackson, has been receiving threats for her forward-facing activism. Here is her GoFundMe:
We are not leaving Texas (married to trans adult) but we heavily considered it during the legislative session. Almost every parent of a trans child is moving out of Texas if financially able.
This is a stain on our country as well as uncharted lawsuit territory
Lawsuits only work where there is rule of law. I think, as a nation, we are at the tipping point. Nowhere is really safe.
When we completely lose rule of law we are no longer a democracy I don’t think anyone believes we are at that point yet
At this point in time, I agree. As has been so often said, we are only one election cycle (and and a lot of apathy) away from a nightmare.
Let’s hope not because when you lose all legal recourse all that is left is organized resistance
Here's to a healthy dose of sanity then!
One of my good friends is fleeing Florida after living here for over 50 years. She ran away to live here as a teenager, fleeing an abusive foster home in NY, and she says Florida feels the scariest it’s ever felt as a trans woman now. She built an amazing life here, and now she is leaving. It’s heart breaking.
Florida was by far the most common place people are leaving.
Yes, many people I know are or have already left. We would leave if we could, but unlike many we have a little more time. We are staying as long as we can to fight, and creating a safe bubble for our child in the meantime (school that is super affirming, etc). But we have an escape plan ready if we need it, but it would mean abandoning a lot. I’m hopeful with how litigation is moving here. Cautiously optimistic for the first time in a long time.
I am post-op with ‘ol Dr Biber from Trinidad in 1985
I am leaving Florida and going to New York
I’ve come up with a term for the exodus out of Florida for us
You’ve heard of BREXIT
This is FLEXIT
My husband and I are proud parents of two transgender daughters ages 20 and 13. We also have 17 and 12 year old cisgender sons. We are moving from FL to MA on July 6th. Like so many other families leaving FL we are losing our whole extended family and friends. We were fortunate enough to buy our dream house 5 years ago and now are starting over in a fixer upper home with double the interest rate. Moving is going to have a negative ripple effect on our retirement and finances. It’s worth it for our daughters to have access to healthcare, feel safer in the community, and go to schools that will respect them and their pronouns, and not try to erase them. Our family will always love and support our daughters and choose what’s best for them.
That's so terrible, but try to remind yourself that you guys are going to be okay. Having to flee really sucks, but it sounds like you're a loving family who support each other and that's the most important thing by far.
I'm waiting for a mifepristone-like maneuver from a radical right state that seeks to nationalize some sort of ban on trans Healthcare, whether that be HRT related or by some other means. You KNOW they want to.
Again when you lose all legal recourse history tells us you are left with organized resistance that would be bad for the country
Please stop thinking the role of law is the only thing that matters. Look what is happening in Florida and other states. All those brand new and horrible laws are running into constitutionality issues and their implementation is being delayed. Does that mean trans folk are receiving health care? No, they are not because the medical institutions are being cautious and pulling their services "just to be safe". Thus there are no active laws banning many services and those services are still being denied.
It’s a far more complex a scenario than you describe. And of course it’s not just enacted laws that drive discrimination, and the author never implied that. But you’d have to admit that laws matter, a lot, in determining people’s actions, which is not to say there aren’t other factors. Of course there are.
I noticed that the 55-64 range has the smallest number of moves. It's the situation that I am in. I work for an amazing and inclusive company in Indiana for over three decades, my pay is good and I'm not ready to retire yet, I really need another 5 years and my pension will be so much better than if I leave now and take a new position at another company, even if the pay is better, I'd be worse off financially. I live in a rather safe place to be trans in this state even if it is a very red state. Even my small city is still red possibly purple for next election. However, Indiana could be the next TN, FL, or TX, the bigotry of Indiana politicians are no different and they have the supermajority votes. I have helped numerous individuals and mostly families within my area with both funds and/or a place to stay if traveling thru my area. Let us all help those who need some assistance however we can. There are many tiny groups of just a few people coming together to help one at a time. I've also helped known individuals thru GoFundMe.
On factor that may be playing into the 55-64 range is where they presently live. It is possible most of them are living in safe States. I’m in the 65+ age range and living in a safe State, having chosen long ago to NOT live in any State that has/had less than favorable transgender policies.
Perhaps, but I relocated to Indiana from NY in 1987, I was trans but not out and didn't have the terminology. I only expected to keep the job for a few years but I'm still here. If you are in HI, it's where we would like to retire to eventually. However the costs has risen faster on HI than other places. I wish I purchased a home there 10 years ago but working remotely was not an option yet at most companies. I can work mostly remotely now but do need to go on campus occasionally and I am expected to have some overlapping hours with my EU colleagues thats hard in HI.
*nod* when I transitioned I was in California where I’d moved (seeking more community in the mid 80s) to from Colorado. Hawai’i is difficult financially for many and likely that isn’t improving soon. California allowed me to find community and to be out . . . Colorado had not yet reached that point.
I can't bring myself to read this (yet). I just came home from a 'see ya later' dinner... I don't want to say goodbye... and yet, two of my child's close friends are leaving... one next week and the other in a month. It is a bittersweet moment. While I am happy for their families, and excited and grateful they are able to do this - - I am (selfishly) sad for my child and myself.... and for the supposed great state of Montana. [And chuckling now, wondering if they read this sub, too! LOL] Montana is losing some great people. :( And for a state with such limited resources... that's.very.sad!
I live in a state that doesn't seem like it'll get *too* dangerous, fortunately, but my sister's in Montana and I literally don't feel safe visiting her any more. So unnecessary and sad.
So just remember that this is the first sign of trouble , if books are banned , that means things are going wrong. It means that you are surrounded by force, fear and ignorance, that power is in the hands of barbarians.
We left Texas 18 months ago for NM. Trans refugees plain and simple.
I'm in Missouri. Kansas City, to be precise. And while I've considered it, I'm not ready to leave; I'd rather stay and fight. And we've had some (small) victories. The ban on adult trans care enacted by the AG was lifted, and KC just declared itself a sanctuary city for trans folks. The mayor and much of the city council are friendly to us. So while I won't fault anyone who decides to leave, things could be a hell of a lot worse here.
Thank you so much for your ongoing work. Our family was one of the ones lucky enough to have the resources to leave Missouri. Do you know of organizations where we can donate to help others facing this decision?
Is there a fund to help those struggling to find the funds to move ?
There were a number of GoFundMe accounts seeking funds to move, last I checked.
Do you have any recommendations on where we might be able to donate to help people move?
https://www.gofundme.com/f/moving-avery-jackson-and-family-out-of-missouri
There were a number of GoFundMe accounts seeking funds to move, last I checked.
The Bay Area is an option for me, still expensive but we have multiple campuses in that area that I technically could transfer to and maybe keep my acrueing pension - lots of companies we purchased in 35 years under the umbrella of the company I work for. The pension is a legacy one and may or my not transfer and still grow. Nice chatting and I may need to seriously consider this option.
I'm in Texas and I have 2 kids in college here. I'm hoping to be able to stay until they're done, but after that, if not before, I'm definitely heading to a safe state.
Avery Jackson’s family is raising funds to relocate from Missouri, where Avery’s mom, Debi Jackson, has been receiving threats for her forward-facing activism. Here is her GoFundMe:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/moving-avery-jackson-and-family-out-of-missouri
Thanks, a very worthy cause indeed.