I'm trying to find a way to help a friend that's stuck with family that's set to move to Florida in the next few days. They are LGBTQ and disabled, limited means on hand for fleeing the state and cutting off toxic family. What do I do? #LGBTQ
@PaganMother
Is the goal to make it possible for them to not go to FL or to survive once in FL?
@PaganMother
Are they in a state that they would want to stay in or do they also need to move? I would guess that either way, the answer is to be connected to services - disability income, LGBTQ+ non-profits who can help with housing. It feels as though whether your friend needs to move is a big question
@publickovacs Anywhere that isn't a danger to their well being is a step up. I'm connecting them with any resources I can find online, whether it's safehouse networks, refugee networks, or LGBTQ specific support networks to help them out.
@publickovacs As far as I am aware, they are in an At Risk labeled state, moving to a deeply dangerous state without any other choice or option for survival.
@PaganMother
I think you are doing a lot of good work. I probably wasn't expressing myself very well, though: does your friend needs to move to another state or can they stay in the state they are in?
@publickovacs They need to escape the state they are in now, they are still living with toxic family that do not know or support them as an LGBTQ citizen.
@publickovacs Am talking with them still at the moment, they have contact with a safe friend in Upstate NY but do not have an escape plan in place. I asked them to contact them asap and work something out as soon as possible cause I don't see any other option or avenue in the immediate field at this time.
@PaganMother
Oh dear Goddess I am so very sorry.
My first suggestion would be to move to a state in the vicinity so that the move isn't extraordinarily costly. For example, I am in NW Missouri, so if I wanted to help someone who was in my area, I would try to send them to Minnesota. I would suggest that the first decision your friend needs to make is what state they want to move to. That will guide the search for resources.
@publickovacs I'm hoping that their contact in NY is able to help them flee, they've been in this pending panicked situation for almost two years now, it's only NOW coming to a point that they have to act or they will face discrimination, targeted attacks and harm in Florida with their family supporting the political parties behind the actions.
@publickovacs But if not, the links I shared, are part of my deep dive for resources for them, to share with the community here that might be facing similar challenges and threats to their own safety.
@PaganMother
Bless you 🙏💙
@publickovacs They are one of my adopted children that I've looked after in support groups that I'm part of on discord. I have about twenty I keep touch with and help however I can whether it's resources I find online, or guiding them through state services in their states.
@PaganMother
Bless you indeed, and may the good you do, come back to you!
@PaganMother
I am sure you have shared this with them, but on the off chance you have not, here is the org that will help them get to th safe friend - it is a Queer Underground Railroad
@publickovacs Goal is to break away from the family that's wanting to move to Florida and survive on their own in a safer state. A safehouse if you will.