Endlessly Optimistic

“I don’t know if I would be physically hurt, but I do know I would be disowned,” --C

It’s hard enough navigating your sexuality and gender identity when you’re 18. It’s even harder when the church you were born and raised in considers anything other than cis and straight a sin.

That’s why C is in need of help. Located in Houston, Texas, C is trying to find affordable housing near the University of Houston before they come out to their parents. C uses gender neutral pronouns and knew from a young age that they weren’t only attracted to women like the Mormon church says they should be. Coming out to their parents could be devastating.

“I don’t know if I would be physically hurt, but I do know I would be disowned,” C told us.

C’s family are strong Mormons. Their mom is an LDS convert and dad comes from a long line of Mormon pioneer stock. C, though, began to mentally drift away from religion in middle school, and had to lie and go through the motions to keep their parents happy. Any time C pushed back against Sunday School teachings or seminary lessons, they were ridiculed or verbally abused. On top of the stranglehold of the church, C was also navigating mental health issues, including anxiety and depression.

It's taken time, but C has managed to set up their escape route. They shook off pressure to go on a mission by using a patriarchal blessing to convince their parents that college was the right choice instead. They managed to escape BYU by secretly applying and being accepted at a university close to home.

This fall, C will embark on a Communication major and Education minor. They are already working and have money set aside for textbooks and some living expenses. Tuition is covered by scholarships. All that’s left is for C to find affordable housing and a way to pay for that, utilities, and other living expenses.

If you have any leads on housing or are willing to help out, please let the Tapir Signal folks know! Or visit C's GoFundMe page.

After graduation, C hopes to go into public relations or advertising, and write the next great American novel in the meantime. They love writing and arguing – they were on the debate team in high school – and they were a competitive swimmer for years. These days, C likes reading and music and spends a lot of time volunteering, especially with disability advocacy causes. They’re an Eagle Scout and eager to start college.

“I think I need to find a way to be my own person and not the person my parents, and through them, the church, wants me to be,” C told us.

The Tapir Signal group has been a great help in that regard so far.

“Dozens of people have reached out and kept in touch,” C said. “It’s amazing to see the support.”

For more information on C and their journey, please see:

Original Reddit post asking for help

TapirBotHero signal post in response

Note from Tapir Signal: while the GoFundMe page says it was created by the Tapir Signal, all of the funds go directly to C.