More than 20 years ago, Transgender Day of Remembrance was established to memorialize those in the trans community who have died due to anti-transgender violence.
While November 20 serves as a way to raise awareness of hate crimes against transgender folks and educate the public about matters important to the transgender community, this week, we celebrate Trans Awareness Week to help raise the visibility of transgender people.
To help her family escape potential persecution for having a transgender child in Texas, Kimberly Shappley, the mother of trans youth activist Kai Shappley, launched a GoFundMe fundraiser in July to help get their family out of Texas and into a safe state.
“When I announced on social media that we were selling our things (and) preparing to get out of Texas due to Governor Abbott ordering mandatory reporters to report known transgender children and their families to Children’s Protective Services, several people I don’t know personally encouraged me to start a GoFundMe so they could financially help my family,” Kimberly shared with the GoFundMe news team. “They had heard the reports of families being investigated and the trauma being inflicted on trans youth and their siblings who were being questioned in ways no children should be subjected to. I realized the idea of a GoFundMe was our best chance to get our family out of Texas and to a safer place.”
In four months, more than 750 donors rallied around the Shappley family, raising over $55K to help them with their move.
While the Shappley family has been settling into their new home in a sanctuary state offering protection for families from criminal charges in their home states, they are continuing to urge support for the community at large.
“Transgender women of color are the demographic group most likely to be murdered in a hate crime in America,” Kimberly said. “Transgender youth have seen an exponential rise in anti-trans legislation across the country attempting to dehumanize and remove them from society. These children are now an acceptable target for verbal harassment and threats of violence by adults in many communities.”
The Shappley’s story is just one of hundreds on GoFundMe for and by transgender individuals and the transgender community.
Below, you’ll find more fundraisers from around the country launched to help bring attention to and improve the lives of members of the trans community. If you’d like to learn more about any of these fundraisers, please feel free to pass along your preferred contact information and I’ll do my best to help connect you with the organizer.
Help us fund our first found family feast (St. Petersburg, FL) “On November 24th, we’re having our first FOUND FAMILY FEAST. In tradition of our queer elders, we decided to have a space where people can present as their WHOLE selves. Unable to express your gender as you wish at home? Come feast with us. Can’t bring your significant other(s) home for the holiday–come feast with us. Moved far away from family to come to a safer town and can’t make it home? Come feast with us. Just don’t want to deal with your family–come feast with us. This event is open to all who are part of the queer community, no judgement and at no cost.” If you’d like to learn more, please feel free to email: archangeladvocacy@gmail.com
The group is seeking donations to help provide a Thanksgiving meal to trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming individuals, partial funding for the local community to organize the National Transgender Day of Remembrance and a non-denominational holiday event for the trans community called WinterWonderTrans.
Licensed mental health counselor Will Zogg created a GoFundMe to help supplement the costs of offering reduced and free gender-assessment appointments to those seeking gender-reassignment surgeries, hormone replacement therapy and more. “While many clients and their families can pay out of pocket for these appointments, the reality is that most people I encounter do not have insurance coverage, lack family/financial support, or have to choose between paying bills and getting these hoops jumped through to feel authentic and healthy in their bodies and brains. The long waiting games, denials of coverage by insurance using fine print or petty nitpicks, and the microaggressions and abuse take an enormous toll on people who are (obviously) not experiencing these particular hardships alone. This increases the terrifying risk of harm, including isolation, neglect of other needs/bills, suicidal ideation, self-harm, substance abuse and more.”
If you’d like to learn more, please feel free to call Will Zogg at 253-286-0507.
Safety and Wellness for Trans People of Color (Chicago, IL) “Life is Workis a Black and Brown Trans-led social services and advocacy organization located on West Chicago Avenue. Their mission focuses on providing case management-guided programs assisting with employment, legal services, and safe residential options for trans people of color.
Life is Work envisions a world where trans people of color can obtain safety and wellness after facing discrimination and/or abandonment from family and community resources. To accomplish this, Life is Work provides needed development skills, legal aid, and housing assistance to all transgender and non-binary persons of color on Chicago’s westside.”
If you’d like to learn more, please feel free to call 312-796-6020.
Magical Folx Supporting Trans Rights (Oakland and Los Angeles, CA) MISTI-Con, a wizarding fan convention, launched a GoFundMe for the Transgender Law Center in reaction to anti-trans statements made by author J.K. Rowling, author of the fantasy Harry Potter series.
“Transgender Law Center changes law, policy, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression. TLC is the largest national trans-led organization advocating for a world in which all people are free to define themselves and their futures. Grounded in legal expertise and committed to racial justice, TLC employs community-driven strategies to keep transgender people alive, thriving, and fighting for liberation.”
If you’d like to learn more, please feel free to call (510) 587-9696 or email K Richardson at the Transgender Law Center: k@transgenderlawcenter.org.
Scholarship Fund for Gender-Affirming Items (Juneau, AK) Donations are still being accepted for Nami Juneau, an Alaskan non-profit organization that provides education and support to help those impacted by mental illness. “Being able to provide tangible support to local youth supports their mental health and is a part of suicide prevention. As The Trevor Project reports, LGBTQ youth who report having at least one accepting adult were 40% less likely to report a suicide attempt in the last year. Thank you for joining us in being one of those accepting adults! All donations will go directly to purchasing gender-affirming items for local trans & gender diverse youth. These items allow trans youth to explore and affirm their identity in ways that positively impact their mental health and wellbeing.”
If you’d like to learn more, please feel free to email Meryl Connelly-Chew at meryl@namijuneau.org.
Erg for Trans Day of Remembrance (Charlottesville, VA) University of Virginia freshman Cillian Mullen is a transgender athlete who launched a GoFundMe last month to help the non-profit Transgender Assitance Program. “This year, I wanted to do something to help the trans community using my sport,” wrote Mullen who is on the Women’s D1 Rowing Team. “As someone who has had the privilege of being relatively safe throughout my experience in being transgender, I want to recognize that I need to use that privilege and act to help my trans siblings. That’s why I am planning an ergathon for that Sunday (Nov. 20), and for every dollar raised, I will be adding 10 meters to the total amount I will complete on the erg that day.”
If you’d like to speak with Cillian Mullen, please feel free to pass along your preferred contact information and I’ll do my best to help connect you with them. If you’d like to learn more about the Transgender Assistance Program, please feel free to call 757-563-4784 or email transactivistva@gmail.com.
New England’s first QTBIPOC multimedia outlet (Boston, MA) “Representation matters and our health, safety, and livelihood depend on it! Trans women of color are being murdered at an alarming rate, more than any other group of people. They are also the most marginalized and underrepresented community,” Boston’s Kenyan James wrote on the GoFundMe fundraiser she launched this month. “Without proper representation and education, members of black/brown/queer/trans communities will continue to be disproportionately affected by these adversities.The Black Improperis Boston’s first QTBIPOC multimedia platform that aims to change this reality. Please help us build a platform that educates our community and celebrates POC and QTBIPOC artists, entrepreneurs, and professionals.”
If you’d like to learn more, please feel free to email Contact@theblackimproper.org. Launch Seattle’s first trans and nonbinary choir (Seattle, WA) “At STANCE (Seattle Trans and Nonbinary Choral Ensemble) we have a vision of a community, by and for trans and nonbinary singers, where changing voices are authentically embraced. An inclusive and accessible singing space where intersecting identities are centered at all levels of the organization. Where through our music, both singers and audiences can find embodiment and connect to our full selves, physical and emotional. And we already have 50+ singers signed up to join us in that dream!”
Casa de Colores Crisis Shelter for Trans Migrants (El Paso, TX) Sen-Pei Hsia and Susana Coreas of El Paso, TX created a GoFundMe fundraiser to support Casa De Colores, an organization working to open a shelter in El Paso for transgender migrants crossing the border. “At this point in time, Casa de Colores is the only humanitarian, direct-action group in El Paso that helps LGBTQIA+ migrant refugees in need with stipends and resources for clothing, food, clean water, shelter, transportation, and communication (cell phones and telecommunication services). Casa de Colores is filling a necessary gap for this population with our dedication and the support of our donors.”
If you’d like to learn more, please feel free to pass along your preferred contact information and I’ll do my best to help connect you with the organizer.
The Traveling Trans Trailer in Central Oregon (Bend, OR) “Hi, I am Dave (Felton). I am a genderqueer person in Central Oregon. My pronouns are they/them. I am in the beginning stages of starting a transition closet here for the people of my community. A place that provides gender-affirming clothing and advice for free. I also would love to have a mobile aspect of this service to bring clothing to outlying parts of our community. These funds will allow me to become organized as a nonprofit, and get the beginnings of the organization set up.”
If you’d like to learn more, please feel free to pass along your preferred contact information and I’ll do my best to help connect you with the organizer.
Safe supplies startup (Toledo, OH) Toledo’s Ren Berryman raised several hundred dollars last month to help create a platform where people can donate trans supplies like fingers and breast forms. Berryman plans to send these donated items to people who can safely get them on their own.
People can support the LGBTQ+ community and those working to create safe and welcoming spaces all over the world, every day of the year on GoFundMe. Verified fundraisers to directly support people, causes, and organizations that help the LGBTQ+ community thrive can be seen here. GoFundMe.org is also proud to run the Pride Cause Fund which helps connect the LGBTQ+ community with physical and mental health resources, create safe spaces, fund Pride events—and more.
