Pay It Forward #2: Increased harassment rates in red* states

We've raised $3,030 and we have two new monthly supporters!

Hello to the 1,517 hotties who subscribe to this newsletter! Thank you for being here.

On November 20, we launched Pay It Forward, a program that provides free financial coaching to queer & trans people in red* states. These free coaching sessions are made possible by donors who fund free coaching sessions for others. If you’re able, please consider contributing here.

We’ve raised $3,030 so far! Since our last report two weeks ago, we’ve raised $720 — enough to serve four additional people from the growing list of 112 applicants. We also have two new monthly supporters! Thank you so much for your contributions.

Here are some trends I’ve noticed since starting this project:

Increased harassment rates in red* states

First, I want to clarify my use of the term “red state.” In a political context, “red states” are states that voted for Republican candidates in past presidential elections. In the context of this project, red* states are states that have passed or introduced anti-trans legislation.

Some people have asked, “Pennsylvania voted red in the 2024 election. Will you be offering free financial coaching to people in Pennsylvania?” At this time, no. Pennsylvania is considered a low-risk state for trans people on journalist Erin Reed’s Anti-Trans Legislative Risk Map.

The Pay It Forward Fund prioritizes applicants who live in these categories on the map:

• Do Not Travel

• Worst Laws Passed

• High Risk Within 2 Years

• Moderate Risk Within 2 Years

Applicants are reporting higher harassment rates in Ohio, Tennessee, and Florida. Some incidents happen in public transportation, making it harder for trans folx to get to work. Some reported incidents in their car, resulting in thousands of dollars in repair — and, of course, the fear, stress, and burnout from experiencing harassment.

These reports are in line with GLAAD’s data that anti-LGBTQ incidents in the US have doubled since 2023.

Anti-trans legislation and sentiments are stopping trans people from earning money

64% of people who applied for a scholarship said they need help earning more money to meet their basic needs, like rent, groceries, and transportation.

After providing some free sessions through this program, I noticed that low-income trans people are having trouble expanding their careers.

Trans small business owners want to serve queer & trans communities, but our communities are chronically underpaid and undervalued. When I suggest expanding audiences to allies, my clients have expressed fear that they won’t be taken seriously as business owners simply because of their gender identity.

Trans people who work in service or corporate settings struggle to ask for well-deserved pay increases, mentorship support, or career advancement opportunities. Trans communities need income stability more than ever, but it’s hard to know who to trust in professional spaces right now — especially during a time when 47% of LGBTQ people experience discrimination or harassment in the workplace, according to The Williams Institute at UCLA.

If you’re a queer & trans ally or a queer/trans person who has stabilized their career, I encourage you to reach out and make the first move. Please offer support, mentorship, or career-building help to any queer & trans folx in your professional or social orbit.

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Use this form to apply for a free coaching session. Applications will remain open until December 18, 2025. Please tell a friend who lives in one of these states:

• Texas

• Florida

• Montana

• Idaho

• Utah

• Mississippi

• Tennessee

• Alabama

• North Dakota

• Kansas

• Oklahoma

• Louisiana

• Nebraska

• Iowa

• Missouri

• Arkansas

• Indiana

• Ohio

• West Virginia

• New Hampshire

• Alaska

• Wyoming

• South Dakota

• Kentucky

• North Carolina

• Georgia

To support the Pay It Forward Program, donate using this link. Please reach out to leo@queerandtranswealth.org to become a monthly supporter.

Friendly reminder: You can buy sessions directly for a friend or loved one through the Pay It Forward Program. If you choose to go this route, your friend or loved one does not have to go through the application process.

There’s a little pop-up on the check-out page that looks like this:

Simply fill out their name and email address and we’ll reach out to them.

The next Pay It Forward Report will be released on Thursday, January 16.

Thank you for your support,

Leo