TL;DR
I turned 39 on March 22. To celebrate, I will move my body 39 miles on May 20 with the goal to raise money for transgender rights. I need your help and request that you sponsor me with a donation to the National Center for Transgender Equality. Take a screenshot and/or send me details of your donation via email, Twitter, Facebook, Mastodon, or Instagram and I will track how much we collectively raise. Please consider sharing this page with #39for39 so we can reach as many people as possible.
BONUS: if we raise $1000, I will make up last year’s missed 38-mile birthday walk on the following weekend. And if we raise $2000, I will make up my missed 34-mile birthday walk on the preceding weekend.1
Read below and follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Mastodon, or Instagram for updates.
Motivation
I turned 39 on March 22. While I have faced normal hardships during my life (as have all humans), my existence and value have never been questioned as a 6'2", blonde-haired, blue-eyed, straight, white male with a Ph.D. Unfortunately, a lot of people in our country do not share that same privilege. Recently, there has been a renewed effort to deny the life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness of our transgender neighbors. After nearly four decades on this Earth in America, I am fucking tired of elected leaders, “just-asking-questions” faux intellects, hypocrites, and feigning-victimhood billionaires working to make people hate their neighbors—moving from one targeted minority to the next—to distract from their abysmal records, overcome unpopular ideas, and line their pockets.
All things considered, life is pretty good for me. In lieu of gifts, I started walking my age in miles for my birthday to raise funds for charity: OK Foster Wishes in 2016, Teen Recovery Solutions in 2017, Christmas Box International in 2019, several in 2020, and Team Beans in 20211. As I wrote previously, I love walking/jogging/running because it allows me time to think and enjoy nature. I want to do the same this year and I need your help.
Help me support transgender rights by donating to the National Center for Transgender Equality.
The National Center for Transgender Equality advocates to change policies and society to increase understanding and acceptance of transgender people. In the nation’s capital and throughout the country, NCTE works to replace disrespect, discrimination, and violence with empathy, opportunity, and justice.
NCTE has racial and economic justice initiatives, operates a legal services network, and offers supports to transgender people, their families, and allies. Their website: has helpful information for those who want to learn more about transgender people, helps transgender people understand their rights, and gathers information about existing laws and policies that affect transgender people.
So, join me—let’s condemn hate and support those working for the targets of such hate.
The Goal
My goal is 39 miles for my 39th birthday in an effort to collectively raise money for the National Center for Transgender Equality.
Can I Do It?
Yes. You can trust that I will honor my commitment of 39 miles. Why?
I completed the 2012 OKC Memorial Marathon through a combination of walking and jogging. In 2016, I participated in a team for Run The Year and finished with an individual total of 1,600 miles. I also completed birthday fundraisers for my 32nd, 33rd, 35th, 36th, and 37th birthdays. I am notorious for setting crazy goals and seeing them through. Life is short. 39 miles is even shorter.
Details
I plan to move my body 39 miles on Saturday, May 20. That will give me around 8 weeks to get in shape, continue training, and solicit donations. Donations will be tracked through the end of May.
I never concern myself with speed. My knees are getting old enough that running a majority of the miles is unlikely. I prefer a deliberate walk and jog. I am not an athlete, so do not expect world record speeds. I estimate that it might take me 10-11 hours. The main thing is that I will finish.
Donate
Donate directly to the National Center for Transgender Equality
Send me a screenshot or details of your donation via email, Twitter, Facebook, Mastodon, or Instagram and I will keep track of how much we collectively raise. In return for your participation, I will make my body move 39 miles on May 20. Together we can do our small part to fight for our transgender neighbors.
BONUS: if we raise $1000, I will make up last year’s missed 38-mile birthday walk on the following weekend. And if we raise $2000, I will make up my missed 34-mile birthday walk on the preceding weekend.1
Please Share
I would appreciate if you would share a link to this page using #39for39.
Keep Updated
Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Mastodon, or Instagram to follow our progress.
Thank You
Your donation will help the National Center for Transgender Equality and I am very thankful for your support and generosity.