Ray Franks, a proud father of a trans and non-binary child, is planning to cycle coast-to-coast across the United States to raise funds for LGBTQ+ organisations. The dad will cycle from Florida to Maine to fundraise for The Trevor Project and Lambda Legal.

Franks is the founder of Trans America Ride, which will take place this summer. However, this is not the first time the father has made this cycle for the community, having cycled from California to New York last year. 

Franks cites his family and the struggles they have faced as his motivation to undertake the cycling challenge. He has three children, one who is cisgender, one who is transgender and another who is non-binary.

 

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He undertakes this massive project “to connect with communities across the country and to draw attention to the important work that these two non-profits are doing”, according to a post on his website.

“While all three had challenges and triumphs, watching the extra struggles of being gender non-conforming has been eye-opening for me. While, at times, I struggled with how to support them, I never struggled with loving them and wanting them to be happy,” he wrote.

Franks is encouraging people across America to join him for sections of the ride, on a bike, skateboard, or whatever you have! He encourages others to start their own fundraisers in aid of one or both of these charities.

The route will look like this:
Section 1:  Key West to St. Augustine, FL – May 22-27 – 500 miles
Section 2:  St. Augistine, FL. to Charlotte, NC – May 29-June 4 – 500 miles
Section 3:  Charlotte, NC to Harrisonburg, VA – June 5-9 – 360 miles
Section 4:  Harrisonburg, VA to NYC, NY – June 12-17 – 460 miles
Section 5:  NYC, NY to Boston, MA – June 20-22 – 220 miles
Section 6:  Boston, MA to Bar Harbor, ME  – June 23-27 – 400 miles

If you would like to donate, become a sponsor, or join the ride, go to transamericaride.org/take-action.