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‘How long before they come for us?’: Families with trans kids are fundraising to flee Alabama to avoid the brunt of anti-trans laws

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‘How long before they come for us?’: Families with trans kids are fundraising to flee Alabama to avoid the brunt of anti-trans laws


  • Dad and mom of trans youngsters in Alabama are making frantic makes an attempt to flee the state.
  • Anti-trans laws that goes into impact Could 8 bans medical doctors from offering gender-affirming healthcare, amongst different issues.
  • Dad and mom instructed Insider that their youngsters want entry to gender-affirming healthcare.

Heather had a plan.

The 48-year-old mom moved from Pennsylvania to Alabama final July together with her two sons to quiet down, dwell a bit of nearer to her prolonged household, and — for the primary time — her eldest son, 15, would attend public college after being home-schooled all of his life. 

After making the journey down South, Heather enrolled her son, who’s trans, on the Magic Metropolis Acceptance Academy — a constitution college in Birmingham, Alabama, which prides itself on selling an “LGBT-affirming studying atmosphere.”

Now, Heather has to rethink life in Alabama.

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Gov. Kay Ivey just lately signed into legislation an anti-trans invoice, often called SB 184, which criminalizes medical doctors for offering gender-affirming medical care to kids. It’s punishable by as much as 10 years in jail.

The invoice, which critics say additionally forces academics to out trans youngsters, is deliberate to enter impact Could 8. Nevertheless, two federal lawsuits in opposition to the legislation have been filed. 

However, Heather mentioned she’s not ready round for a decide to decide. She determined to uproot the life she’s spent 9 months constructing together with her sons in Alabama in favor of security elsewhere. 

“I had deliberate to remain right here the remainder of my life,” she mentioned.  “However figuring out that the state of Alabama doesn’t need us right here, that just about made up my thoughts that we have to depart.”

Heather and her son, like the opposite mother and father and youth who spoke to Insider for this story, requested to solely be recognized by their first title or preliminary — citing security issues and worry of retribution.  

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In a telephone interview, her son, who requested to be recognized as R, instructed Insider he was wanting ahead to attending Magic Metropolis — he mentioned he even made associates with college students there on-line —however now he has to take a look at potential colleges elsewhere. 

“I form of want individuals would simply think about what it will be prefer to undergo the flawed puberty, he mentioned. “It would not make sense why so many individuals are so in opposition to individuals simply attempting to be themselves and dwell.”

Heather arrange a GoFundMe to cowl transferring bills. Up to now, the household has raised a bit of over $8,000 out of a $30,000 objective. 

She worries that if she stays in Alabama, she’ll have to decide on between ensuring her youngsters can dwell blissful, fulfilling lives and following the legislation.

“How lengthy earlier than they arrive for us? I might be charged with a felony,” she mentioned. “And my youngsters want me. I do not need to put them ready the place they do not have me.”

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In Alabama, hostility and worry pressure robust selections for youths and fogeys

Kim, one other Alabama mum or dad, instructed Insider her 12-year-old daughter had simply began hormone remedy in January. 

When Ivey signed SB 184 into legislation, the household began a GoFundMe asking for donations to assist them transfer to Massachusetts, the place a number of hospitals provide gender-affirming take care of her daughter. She has already surpassed her GoFundMe objective of $30,000.

Her daughter started transitioning when she was 6. At a college in New Hampshire, her daughter instructed her first-grade trainer on the time that “she wished to die as a result of she was uninterested in all people calling her a boy,” the 33-year-old mom mentioned. 

“We took her to her pediatrician and a psychologist and so they all mentioned, ‘Observe her lead,’” Kim continued. “So we did.”

Earlier than she started transitioning, she instructed Kim she did not need to minimize her hair brief and requested if she might put on sparkly sneakers and clothes to highschool. Children used to bully her for dressing up in lady garments. 

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However, she turned “exponentially happier” after transitioning, Kim mentioned.

Now she attends college on-line, the place no one is aware of she’s trans, Kim mentioned. However she worries that SB 184, which is able to pressure academics to out trans college students to folks, will create a detrimental, anti-trans atmosphere for her youngster in Alabama. 

“She would not really feel like she ought to have to cover it,” Kim mentioned. “However on the identical time, she would not really feel like she has to announce it to all people.”

“She has to dwell cautiously,” Kim added.

Julián, a 17-year-old scholar in Alabama, instructed Insider solely his dad is supportive of his trans identification. Now, his highschool has turn out to be a probably unsafe place for him. 

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After SB 184, academics who know he is trans have been pulling him apart in school and asking if he is okay. One trainer instructed him she loves him and her different trans college students and “simply needs us to be OK,” Julián wrote in an e-mail to Insider. 

He mentioned he is been questioning which trainer will finally inform his mother, who’s not supportive of his trans identification. Julián has an appointment with an endocrinologist scheduled for December 2022. However now he is unsure whether or not he’ll have the ability to go. 

“College was as soon as a protected place for me, however now I simply really feel paranoid,” he mentioned. 

Different households are rigorously evaluating the choice to flee. One GoFundMe consumer is asking for donations to assist finance their healthcare prices and assist them depart Alabama. 

Jess Eisenberg, a 38-year-old mum or dad of a 5-year-old gender-diverse youngster, additionally instructed Insider she has thought of transferring out of state. 

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“We have talked about transferring to Seattle or again to Chicago,” she instructed Insider. “Housing costs are insane proper now, so we preserve taking deep breaths to see if we will wait this out.” 



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Alabama

16-year-old 'Baby Driver' actor dies after fall from moving vehicle in Alabama

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16-year-old 'Baby Driver' actor dies after fall from moving vehicle in Alabama


(From L) US actor Clayton Royal Johnson, US producer Christa Boarini, US director Todd Wiseman Jr., US actors Kue Miller Lawrence, Hudson Meek, US actress Christina Brucato, US actor Michael Sean Tighe and US model singer and photograph Eugenie Bondu

Hudson Meek, a rising teen actor best known for his role as “Young Baby” in the 2017 Atlanta-filmed blockbuster Baby Driver, has tragically passed away at the age of 16.

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Meek died on Saturday from injuries sustained after falling from a moving vehicle in his hometown of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, according to multiple sources. The Jefferson County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that he suffered blunt force injuries in the incident, which occurred last Thursday on the 1900 block of Canyon Road. The circumstances surrounding the accident remain under investigation by the Vestavia Hills Police Department.

Meek’s family shared the heartbreaking news on his Instagram account, writing, “Our hearts are broken to share that Hudson Meek went home to be with Jesus tonight.”

Hudson Meek was a graduate of Vestavia Hills High School and had a blossoming career in the entertainment industry. In Baby Driver, filmed and set in Atlanta, he portrayed the younger version of Ansel Elgort’s main character in the Edgar Wright-directed action film. His talents extended to appearances in NBC’s Found, the MacGyver reboot, and voice acting roles. Alongside his brother, Tucker Meek, he also appeared in the 2014 Lifetime movie The Santa Con.

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Meek’s obituary highlighted his passion for acting and his love for working on set, saying, “He absolutely loved spending time on set and having the chance to learn the names and stories of every member of the cast and crew.” Several of his projects are set to be released in 2025.

READ THE OBIT

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J Pervis Talent Agency, which represented Meek, paid tribute on Instagram: “Hudson was an extraordinary young talent, whose dedication, passion, and promise shone brightly within our industry. Over the past 10 years, he contributed so much to the spirit of our agency, and his loss leaves a void that will be deeply felt by all of us.”

Baby Driver (2017) is a stylish action-crime film directed by Edgar Wright. The movie revolves around Baby, a young and talented getaway driver with a passion for music. Played by Ansel Elgort, Baby uses his carefully curated playlists to drown out the tinnitus he developed from a childhood car accident and to synchronize his driving, making him one of the best in the business.

Baby works for Doc, a mysterious crime boss played by Kevin Spacey, who organizes heists with rotating crews of criminals. Baby is reluctantly tied to Doc due to a debt, but he dreams of leaving the criminal world behind. His plans are further solidified when he meets Debora, a kind-hearted waitress played by Lily James, and the two begin to imagine a future free from crime.

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However, Baby’s path to freedom is complicated by a dangerous heist crew and escalating tensions with volatile criminals like Bats (Jamie Foxx) and Buddy (Jon Hamm). As the stakes rise, Baby must use his driving skills, quick thinking, and determination to protect Debora and escape the life of crime once and for all.

EntertainmentNewsAtlanta



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Alabama

Alabama quadruplets out of NICU and home for Christmas

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Alabama quadruplets out of NICU and home for Christmas


AUBURN, Ala. (WSFA) – When Becca Bryant found out she was pregnant, she was excited to add a fourth child to her family. What the family didn’t expect is it wouldn’t just be adding a fourth kid, but also a fifth, sixth and seventh.

The quadruplets – Kali, Koen, Laney and Lennon – were born premature at 23 weeks and four days.

Because of their early birth, they had to spend five to six months in the neonatal intensive care unit. The last one was brought home on Dec. 10, just weeks before Christmas.

“We get closer to Christmas and our last one’s still in the NICU, and I’m like come on, come on, come on, let’s go home, let’s go home,” Bryant said. “So now that we’re all here, I’m so excited. I cannot wait to get all of them in front of the tree and take a picture.”

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Having three more kids than you’re expecting is sure to put a financial strain on any family, but the community has made sure the Bryant family has all of its needs covered.

“We are very blessed to say that we have not bought a single diaper yet, and we’ve had people send gift cards, and we’ve had people send cash,” she said. “We wouldn’t make it without that.”

The parents are also getting much-needed help from their older kids.

“Once they started trickling home, they were all excited, and they just couldn’t wait. They wanted to hold them, they wanted to help, they wanted to get their clothes, they wanted to do their bottles, and they still want to do all that stuff,” said Bryant.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 148 sets of quadruplets or higher-order births in 2023. That’s the lowest number since it started collecting data in 1998.

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South Alabama adds Samford wide receiver transfer Brendan Jenkins for 2025

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South Alabama adds Samford wide receiver transfer Brendan Jenkins for 2025


South Alabama on Wednesday picked up its first transfer portal commitment of the current cycle, from former Samford wide receiver Brendan Jenkins.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Jenkins caught 89 passes for 888 yards and seven touchdowns in two seasons with the Bulldogs, and was Southern Conference Freshman of the Year in 2023. A native of Hochston, Ga., he has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

South Alabama has a major need at receiver, with four seniors among its top five pass-catchers in 2024. First-team All-Sun Belt selection Jamaal Pritchett has used up his eligibility, as have Salute to Veterans Bowl Most Valuable Player Jeremiah Webb, tight end DJ Thomas-Jones and No. 4 receiver Shamar Sandgren (though it’s now possible Sandgren could return next season after a recent NCAA ruling involving former junior-college transfers).

Devin Voisin, who caught 34 passes this past season, is expected to return for a seventh year at South Alabama in 2025 after receiving a medical redshirt following an early-season knee injury in 2023. Also eligible to return are Anthony Eager (10 catches, 2 TDs as a redshirt freshman in 2024), program veteran Keyshawn Woodyard and a host of less-experienced receivers including Micah Woods, Noah Toster, Jeremy Scott and Jerrian Graham.

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South Alabama is expected to add a number of other portal transfers before spring semester classes begin on Jan. 13. The transfer portal closes for new entries on Dec. 28, though a player already in the portal by then may commit to or sign with his new school at any time.



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