How could you deny Avery Jackson her vision to create a Transgender House across from Westboro Baptist Church?
Avery Jackson, an eight-year-old transgender child, wants to help a LGBT nonprofit do something bold: purchase a house across the street from the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan.
Planting Peace, which wants to buy the property, already manages the neighboring Equality House. The house, painted the colors of the rainbow, was founded in 2012 to counter the Westboro Baptist Church’s angry message with love and compassion and serve as a symbol to the LGBT community that they are not alone.
With another house now available next to the church, Avery and Planting Peace need to raise $70,000 via the fundraising website CrowdRise platform. The goal for the transgender house is to continue the organization’s LGBT equality efforts. It will be painted blue, pink, and white – the colors of the transgender flag.
Avery was the inspiration for establishing the house, Planting Peace President Aaron Jackson said in a statement.
Avery first visited the Equality House when it was painted with the colors of the transgender flag. After hearing Avery describe how the house made her feel proud to be transgender, Aaron realized the need for a transgender house.
Avery and Aaron Jackson, president of Planting Peace.
“I was deeply touched when Avery visited us and said it brought her joy and gave her confidence. She inspired us to partner with her to create a symbol of support for the transgender community by expanding the Equality House and permanently painting our neighboring house the colors of the transgender flag,” Aaron said.
“The Equality House has always been a positive, iconic landmark for LGBT people to visit,” said Debi Jackson, Avery’s mother. “I would love to see a Transgender House embraced the same way – with enthusiasm, love and pride.”
“We’ve painted the house the colors of the transgender flag each year to honor the transgender community, and specifically, those who have taken their lives because of violence and bullying,” Aaron said.
Having a house next door painted blue, pink, and white would make the annual tradition instead a daily one.
