Will You Help Me Say Yes to Trans Men and Trans People of Color?
Dear friends,
As you know, I have started doing book readings. The responses I get afterward have opened my eyes to something important.
Again and again, people say, “We need your story because we do not have enough narratives from trans men or trans people of color.”
I have started to receive email from trans people who are asking if I will come speak in their city. Even in liberal Portland, I met a trans man who lives in stealth. All this surprises me, but I am beginning to see the situation in the U.S. is more complicated than I realized.
I know the difficulty of living an isolated, hidden life. Now I am learning how sharing our stories can bring people together and help them feel like someone understands, especially if they have felt invisible, even among other trans people.
When people ask me to speak in their city, I want to say yes, but I need your help.
I have received invitations to speak in several other cities. Some of the venues are able to help with travel expenses and trans men are generously offering to let me stay in their homes. However, I must raise some of the funds for travel and living expenses while I am on the road, otherwise I cannot go.
There are three ways you can help me:
- Donate: Please give to the GoFundMe that has been set up to raise travel funds, even if you can only give a small amount. Many little contributions add up in time.
- Ask your friends and family to donate: Please email this message to people you know personally and ask them to consider donating. Your endorsement is critical since I am literally a stranger in this land.
- Share this fundraiser on your social media: Please share the GoFundMe page on your social media along with a personal note encouraging support. I am new to U.S. social media, because it is blocked in China, so I do not have many friends or followers yet — I need you to help spread the word.
I want to do for others what you have done for me.
Thank you for your support and help. I never imagined I would have friends and allies I could reach out to this way. Six months ago, I could not imagine sending a letter like this. Even if I did, I had no friends I could send it to — but you have helped change that forever. Because of your friendship, I am starting to see that when trans people and their allies stand together, we can change things for each other. I hope I can do the same thing for others this year when I am sharing my story around the country.
Gratefully,
Ray
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