$20,000 Raised for Oklahoma Trans Student’s Relocation After Threats of Violence

More than $20,000 has been raised via a GoFundMe campaign to help a trans student relocate from Oklahoma following harassment and threats of violence.

12-year-old Maddie received an onslaught of social media abuse when she attempted to use the female restrooms at her highschool, Achille public school. Achille was forced to cancel classes earlier last week because of the sheer number of threats.

At least one parent, and several other members of the community, wrote comments encouraging violence against Maddie. One such comment read: “If he wants to be a female make him a female. A good sharp knife will do the job really quick.”

Hearing news of Maddie’s harassment, a stranger set up a GoFundMe account to help cover the costs of their relocation to Houston. The account quickly exceeded its $15,000 goal.

Maddie has since written on the GoFundMe page thanking her supporters.

“I’m the girl you have been helping raise money for so I can move to Houston where my sister is,” she writes. “My sister will keep me safe if I am close to her and her school will accept me and I will be safe there. My mom and dad and me are so happy that I will be safer and I will be happier in a place that won’t want to hurt me.”

“My mom showed me all the messages you have sent to me and I love all of you for what you said to me! It has made my heart feel so good I want to cry. My mom is so happy that we can finally move and so am I.”

“I hope everyone who’s donated, knows how much y’all have changed our lives!” Maddie’s mum, Brandy Rose, writes. “Not just by helping us move, but just the show of love and support has meant so much, it’s overwhelming!

Keep up to date with the latest myGnews

LGBT professionals, LGBT Graduates, LGBT professional network, LGBT professional events, LGBT networking events, LGBT Recruitment, LGBT Friendly organisations, LGBT Friendly companies, LGBT jobs