I’m writing this because I have to, not because I want to. My name is Lauren. I’m leaving out my last name because I don’t want any of this linked to my family - this is 100% behind their back and I’m afraid that they’ll kick both myself and my brother out of our home if they find out.
I’m Lauren, as I said, and I’m eighteen. But this GoFundMe isn’t about me - I’m making this for my younger brother, Daniel.
Daniel is sixteen years old, soon to be seventeen. He wasn’t born as Daniel, and for twelve years even I thought that he was female. But when he was twelve he came out to me, and started to cry, saying that he didn’t feel right and that every time someone called him by his birth name or called him “she” or “her” or any feminine pronouns or words, he’d feel like he had been punched in the stomach.
He explained that he hated his body, it felt awkward and out of place. I didn’t understand at first, I was only fourteen myself, and had never heard of anything like this. But we were always close and I comforted him and said whatever he was feeling was ok, and we would figure something out. I started to call him Danny, which is a gender neutral nickname that was close enough to his birth name that our (very, very religious) parents wouldn’t worry about.
I began to do research and eventually I helped Daniel through the first stages of his transition. I got him a binder, I took him to cut his hair, and I got him gender neutral and male clothes to wear out in public. Our parents were livid at me and eventually when they found out about what was going on, they had my Pastor uncle come over while my father held me back, and I had to watch my uncle and mother perform an “exorcism” on my little brother.
I’m not going into detail on the numerous accounts of abuse (mentally, physically and emotionally) that our parents have made us endure because of this. But we are at our breaking point. We’re leaving.
My brother and I will legally be able to move out this year, and I’m not asking for help with the funds to do that. But I want to help my brother fully transition. This money raised will go to getting him new clothes, changing his name, getting him hormones and binders and also helping to pay for his chest surgery.
Daniel and I are not in a safe situation at the moment, and I’m still in the process of saving up enough to pay for a down payment on an apartment for the two of us. We are still living in this abusive and toxic household, and meanwhile, Daniel has been forced off his testosterone and been made to “revert” to a “girl”. My parents humiliate him in pink and hyper feminine clothes, calling him very feminine pet names and over all just being incredibly abusive.
They’ve told us we were mentally ill, sent Daniel to reform therapists, etc etc.. Daniel has really cut himself off from most people, and even rarely talks to me anymore. I’ve seen cut marks on his thighs. I’ve heard him crying all night into his pillow. I know things are at the breaking point and I need to get him out of here. I’ll have the money to get out soon, but I need help to help Daniel transition. I honestly don’t know what I would do if I lost my brother, I would never forgive myself. That’s the path I fear he’s taking now.
Anything helps. A cent, as much as you can give without breaking your wallet. It all counts and will all be put in a bank account for safe keeping until we get enough to purchase clothing and such.
Thank you all. If you cannot donate, your well wishes and your sharing of this is very appreciated. I love you all.
annaxmalina
germansingergirl
yousharknotpass
andulkaphoto
dededos
jacobvanloon
prguitarman
