Hello friends, future-friends and loved ones,
O and I have had to take the tough decision to move from Florida to New Mexico as a result of worries about our safety and well being after the last presidential election. Though we are able to meet the costs of some of this transition, we need help with some of the costs of the move and securing long-term stable housing.
We've weathered a few storms during these first ten years of marriage: literal and figurative. One year into our marriage, O was hit by a truck as a pedestrian requiring a lengthy hospital stay and ongoing recovery and that with surgeries. That and her ongoing treatment of stage four endometriosis has meant we needed to move to a warmer climate (SW Florida). The pain relief was a big win, but living at the eye of Hurricane Ian brought a further challenge. Also, as is too common, I was disowned by my parents when outed over 17 years ago, so we haven't had their support. We've had some wins, but each of these challenges has significantly impacted our financial standing.
Your help would enable this next transition for what we hope will be a more stable, long-term situation.
WHY WE'RE MOVING
We feel forced to make this decision mainly due to safety reasons because I'm trans. Anti-transgender sentiment and policy are coming to the fore in Florida and across many states. We need help getting to the next safest place as the current administration is intensifying the situation. Here are examples of anti-transgender legislation passed in Florida (and other states) and one of a handful of recently issued anti-trans Executive Orders: "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government." We are already seeing the impact of this legislation, where a young lesbian in Arizona was confronted by police in a women’s bathroom questioning her gender.
WHY NEW MEXICO
New Mexico is the safest affordable place for us to move with a tolerable climate for O's chronic pain. Florida was a game changer for us and everything we hoped for in terms of improving O's quality of life. She is even slowly building a business with her art to help with our income. Although we will miss Florida and the people we built close bonds with over the past 3+ years, we feel New Mexico is the right place for us given what's happening and, thankfully, we have a lot we're looking forward to there. The fact that I work remotely means a seamless transition for us in terms of actual income, which we are also grateful for.
WHY BUY A HOUSE
Buying a house for us means we ensure stable housing costs and control over our living space, which is vital for health reasons. The potential of facing housing discrimination as the political climate continues to change and anti-transgender sentiment possibly rises means that this is the safest option for us. Housing costs are currently low in NM, which is why it's important to take this opportunity while we have it. Additionally, as O’s mom has received a diagnosis of dementia, we intend to care for her at home. Stable housing is critical for all of this.
THE HOUSE
With the help of new friends from a local church I reached out to a few months ago, we're under contract for a house being sold by the person who kindly hosted me during my recent house-hunting venture. It's a cute 2-bed house, built in 1942, in the middle of the city. The seller's agreed to $125K for it and we'll be able to get first-time home-buyer's assistance from a state program to help with the purchase.
If everything goes according t our present timetable, closing on the house is set for mid-March and we would drive over shortly after. We plan to drive about 5-6 days and camp in our converted van as we did when moving to Florida to keep costs down. Finances have been tight the last few years due to medical expenses, the move to Florida, and recovering from the damages of hurricane Ian.Some bigger household items will need to be replaced once there because getting a UHAUL is more expensive.
MOVING & HOUSE EXPENSES
We do not ask for help lightly, so we want to be transparent with our moving expenses. Below outlines our anticipated expenses and how we would spend the money if you choose to donate.
We're hoping to raise at least $7000. As mentioned, I'll be able to move with my current remote job. However, we won’t have any savings left after this move, so any additional funds we raise will restart our emergency savings.
Anything you can offer is great and much appreciated! Feel free to reach out if you have any creative ideas to support and thanks to each of you in advance!
Sincerely and with love,
F & O
