Emme Kennedy, a Philadelphia-based comedian and theater artist, has recently launched a GoFundMe campaign aimed at raising funds to help her escape the increasingly hostile climate for transgender individuals in the United States. The urgency of her decision stems from a growing fear of deportation and mistreatment under the current administration’s policies regarding gender identity.
Kennedy, previously known by her given name, Mark Kennedy, underwent significant life changes starting in 2017, including a notable physical transformation. However, it is her gender identity that has prompted her most profound transformation—she is now a trans woman, and she finds herself questioning her safety in America.
“Look at all of the people ICE is deporting, including legal immigrants,” Kennedy states, voicing her concerns about the current political landscape. “They want to deport international students. Who is next? Trans people? Neurodivergent people? Anyone who doesn’t fit in with what ‘they’ want? I wish it weren’t so easy to imagine people like me being deported before long.”
Kennedy’s desire to leave the United States intensified after Donald Trump won the presidential election in 2016. She recalls how the situation worsened with Trump’s executive orders that made it impossible to be recognized as anything other than the gender assigned at birth. Being forced to identify as male, despite her gender identity, added to her distress.
“He’s also ordered that trans women be moved to men’s prisons,” Kennedy points out, highlighting the serious risks that trans individuals face under current policies. She describes a harrowing scenario where a trans woman like herself could end up in a men’s prison and potentially face violence. “Let’s say the Trump administration arrests me for being trans. I don’t want to be raped to death in jail.”
Originally from Canada, where she still holds dual citizenship, Kennedy has made the decision to return to her homeland. She feels that Canada’s approach to transgender rights stands in stark contrast to that of the U.S. Moreover, the Canadian healthcare system’s support for trans medical treatments provides her with hope for a more secure future.
A recent report ranks Canada as one of the top countries for transgender individuals, following only Portugal and Malta, while the United States falls far behind at 40th. Stories like Kennedy’s underscore the struggles that many face in America, especially in light of the increasing anti-trans policies.
Despite her resolve to move, Kennedy is navigating the complexities of her financial situation. She has incurred significant debt related to her transition, covering costs for hormone replacement therapy, laser hair removal, vocal training, and more. With the challenge of establishing residency in Canada, she faces a waiting period before being covered by the national healthcare plan, further complicating her escape.
As of now, Kennedy has raised nearly $3,300 toward her $4,900 goal on GoFundMe, with intentions to increase that figure to garner more support. “Transitioning is expensive as hell,” she asserts. “And I don’t think that men realize how much more it costs to be a woman. Think about the clothes, the makeup, the hair. I only realized I was trans eleven months ago, and I have spent so much money on this process.”
Kennedy’s story reflects a poignant reality faced by many in the trans community today. As she seeks to escape the constraints and dangers of living in the U.S., her journey serves as a powerful reminder of the broader struggle for trans rights and safety.
image source from：https://www.phillymag.com/news/2025/06/06/trans-woman-gofundme-canada/
