Top Surgery Fund for Skye!
Donation protected
Who is Skye Cyr?
Skye Cyr is a queer, trans, nonbinary person.
Skye is a remarkably genuine and dynamic individual. They are boisterous, sassy, creative, vibrant, and incredibly loving. Their enthusiasm for their passions is infectious, and their desire to share said passions with those they love brightens the heart.
Skye Cyr makes the world better by being in it.
Skye Cyr is incredibly fond of plants. They are the type of person that goes on walks through the park with friends only to spontaneously shout the scientific names of nearby plants loud enough to make nearby people jump. They do this because they took it upon themselves to study for their horticulturist’s license independently, when they couldn’t afford to go to college for it. Skye hit the books so hard that they passed two of the three requirements for the license, which normally takes a year of proper academic courses, after only three months. Currently, Sky works in a greenhouse. These facts combined make them the go-to resource for yard care. They can and will write comprehensive plant care instructions if asked, and the advice always works (when their friends actually follow it). They are brilliant, hardworking, and knowing someone with a passion this strong who explores and shares it is a gift.
Skye at work with the greenhouse cat, Tony!
Skye has a caring soul. A year and a half ago they brought home a dog from a shelter that the staff strongly warned them not to get. They were warned this dog had severe separation anxiety. Skye told the shelter they need this dog; Skye also has anxiety, and thus they needed each other. This pup, now named Desmo, isn’t an easy dog to own, she is the sweetest girl in the world, and has graduated into a support animal with pure canine determination. The mutual security these two have brought to each other’s life has been uplifting to watch.
Skye's furry companion, Desmo.
Skye is a devoted friend, who is constantly looking for where they can give, and constantly aware of where they might be taking from anyone else in their life. They refuse to accept “charity” as a rule. They are not the one starting this. Their friends (us) are the ones starting this.
So Skye’s great. What’s the problem?
Well, you see Skye is a queer, trans, non-binary person. This shouldn’t be a problem, but it is, and here’s why: Dysphoria.
Dysphoria is a profound state of unease or dissatisfaction. Dysphoria may accompany depression, anxiety, or agitation. It can also mean someone that is not comfortable in their current body, particularly in cases of gender dysphoria. [PubMed Health Glossary]
Each day Skye has to make a difficult choice between attending to their mental health or their physical health. They spend mornings worried about what clothing to present themselves in because people often perceive them as female if they don’t dress a certain way, and this is destructive to their mental health . They cannot live up to this expectation of gender, because they are not female. It hurts Skye to have this expectation put upon them every day and not be able to live up to it. This is something carried with them every moment of every day… It is heartbreaking to see just how often dysphoria rolls through and ruins their day. Because of this, they bind their chest and present themselves as neutrally as possible.
While binding provides some relief from dysphoria and stigma, it has monstrous physical repercussions . Skye goes to work at a greenhouse everyday, lifting pallets of dirt and heavy plants with their chest bound, so that they can live their life and enjoy their passions... Skye then comes home in severe pain. Once home, with no one around to make judgments about their gender based on their body, Skye peels off their binder and tries to give their spine enough time to recover before the next day.
There is never enough time for their spine to recover before the next day.
This pain is only compounded by the fact that Skye has ample breasts, and they bear this weight in more way than one. Living their life in a binder has been wreaking havoc on the alignment of Skye’s musculature over time - they need this surgery to save their back from further long-term damage.
Skye with their friend, Jeri, at Trans Pride 2018.
Why This GoFundMe Exists
Recently, Skye posted a picture of their “top-surgery savings jar” on social media. The backlash was unbelievable. Unfortunately, this is not the first time Skye has gotten greif for the gender identity; Skye’s family refuses to use they/them pronouns; When Skye told their family they were starting testosterone almost a year ago, they were told they were, “poisoning [their] perfectly healthy body.” Skye laughs about it, but it’s not funny….
There was a time last year when four friends descended upon their house - skyping in a fifth friend - to support them during a very deep depressive episode. The weight of stigma, and dysphoria and pain had become too much. They had to take away Skye’s gun. The gun was originally given to them for protection, to help them feel safer as they live in a dangerous neighborhood, only now it was looming. It became a presence in their house that was not protective at all. Not anymore. They asked us to take it from them, until things got a little easier.
Things haven’t really gotten easier. Skye has gotten stronger, though. I’m not sure they know that, but we all do.
Despite their own struggles, Skye is always helping out the people around them – anything offering kind words or assistance to folks in bad mental spaces,to buying people plants “just because”, to making sure friend stay hydrated while drinking. Skye is a person who constantly gives. Skye is the person who immediately offers $5 out of their pocket to buy a friend a meal, even though they haven’t had the money to buy proper groceries for four months because life is just like that sometimes.
Their kindness and generosity is incredible, and their reliability for those they care about is strong is unwavering.
We want to return their support. We want to give back.
Skye at Friendsmas with their friend, Anna.
How can I help?
Gender affirmation surgery is expensive.
Even with Skye’s insurance covering the expected amount they still need $8000 to cover the cost of surgery alone. Additionally, the recovery period for this procedure is long (With a physically intensive job like Skye’s it is recommended you take 4-6 weeks off to heal) and Skye will need money to cover their day to day needs while out of work. Thus the GoFundMe is set at $10,000. Please help our Skye-beast get the gender affirming surgery they need. We thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.
We understand that it can be difficult to spare money even for a great cause, so we ask you to make a donation that feels impactful for you. Each and every dollar brings Skye one step closer to relief. All individuals who donate $25 or more will receive a signed thank you card for their contribution if they include an address. Please consider tipping to keep GoFundMe cost free. Thank you again for your wonderful support!
Skye with their friend, Hannah in downtown Tacoma.
Skye Cyr is a queer, trans, nonbinary person.
Skye is a remarkably genuine and dynamic individual. They are boisterous, sassy, creative, vibrant, and incredibly loving. Their enthusiasm for their passions is infectious, and their desire to share said passions with those they love brightens the heart.
Skye Cyr makes the world better by being in it.
Skye Cyr is incredibly fond of plants. They are the type of person that goes on walks through the park with friends only to spontaneously shout the scientific names of nearby plants loud enough to make nearby people jump. They do this because they took it upon themselves to study for their horticulturist’s license independently, when they couldn’t afford to go to college for it. Skye hit the books so hard that they passed two of the three requirements for the license, which normally takes a year of proper academic courses, after only three months. Currently, Sky works in a greenhouse. These facts combined make them the go-to resource for yard care. They can and will write comprehensive plant care instructions if asked, and the advice always works (when their friends actually follow it). They are brilliant, hardworking, and knowing someone with a passion this strong who explores and shares it is a gift.
Skye at work with the greenhouse cat, Tony!Skye has a caring soul. A year and a half ago they brought home a dog from a shelter that the staff strongly warned them not to get. They were warned this dog had severe separation anxiety. Skye told the shelter they need this dog; Skye also has anxiety, and thus they needed each other. This pup, now named Desmo, isn’t an easy dog to own, she is the sweetest girl in the world, and has graduated into a support animal with pure canine determination. The mutual security these two have brought to each other’s life has been uplifting to watch.
Skye's furry companion, Desmo.Skye is a devoted friend, who is constantly looking for where they can give, and constantly aware of where they might be taking from anyone else in their life. They refuse to accept “charity” as a rule. They are not the one starting this. Their friends (us) are the ones starting this.
So Skye’s great. What’s the problem?
Well, you see Skye is a queer, trans, non-binary person. This shouldn’t be a problem, but it is, and here’s why: Dysphoria.
Dysphoria is a profound state of unease or dissatisfaction. Dysphoria may accompany depression, anxiety, or agitation. It can also mean someone that is not comfortable in their current body, particularly in cases of gender dysphoria. [PubMed Health Glossary]
Each day Skye has to make a difficult choice between attending to their mental health or their physical health. They spend mornings worried about what clothing to present themselves in because people often perceive them as female if they don’t dress a certain way, and this is destructive to their mental health . They cannot live up to this expectation of gender, because they are not female. It hurts Skye to have this expectation put upon them every day and not be able to live up to it. This is something carried with them every moment of every day… It is heartbreaking to see just how often dysphoria rolls through and ruins their day. Because of this, they bind their chest and present themselves as neutrally as possible.
While binding provides some relief from dysphoria and stigma, it has monstrous physical repercussions . Skye goes to work at a greenhouse everyday, lifting pallets of dirt and heavy plants with their chest bound, so that they can live their life and enjoy their passions... Skye then comes home in severe pain. Once home, with no one around to make judgments about their gender based on their body, Skye peels off their binder and tries to give their spine enough time to recover before the next day.
There is never enough time for their spine to recover before the next day.
This pain is only compounded by the fact that Skye has ample breasts, and they bear this weight in more way than one. Living their life in a binder has been wreaking havoc on the alignment of Skye’s musculature over time - they need this surgery to save their back from further long-term damage.
Skye with their friend, Jeri, at Trans Pride 2018.Why This GoFundMe Exists
Recently, Skye posted a picture of their “top-surgery savings jar” on social media. The backlash was unbelievable. Unfortunately, this is not the first time Skye has gotten greif for the gender identity; Skye’s family refuses to use they/them pronouns; When Skye told their family they were starting testosterone almost a year ago, they were told they were, “poisoning [their] perfectly healthy body.” Skye laughs about it, but it’s not funny….
There was a time last year when four friends descended upon their house - skyping in a fifth friend - to support them during a very deep depressive episode. The weight of stigma, and dysphoria and pain had become too much. They had to take away Skye’s gun. The gun was originally given to them for protection, to help them feel safer as they live in a dangerous neighborhood, only now it was looming. It became a presence in their house that was not protective at all. Not anymore. They asked us to take it from them, until things got a little easier.
Things haven’t really gotten easier. Skye has gotten stronger, though. I’m not sure they know that, but we all do.
Despite their own struggles, Skye is always helping out the people around them – anything offering kind words or assistance to folks in bad mental spaces,to buying people plants “just because”, to making sure friend stay hydrated while drinking. Skye is a person who constantly gives. Skye is the person who immediately offers $5 out of their pocket to buy a friend a meal, even though they haven’t had the money to buy proper groceries for four months because life is just like that sometimes.
Their kindness and generosity is incredible, and their reliability for those they care about is strong is unwavering.
We want to return their support. We want to give back.
Skye at Friendsmas with their friend, Anna.How can I help?
Gender affirmation surgery is expensive.
Even with Skye’s insurance covering the expected amount they still need $8000 to cover the cost of surgery alone. Additionally, the recovery period for this procedure is long (With a physically intensive job like Skye’s it is recommended you take 4-6 weeks off to heal) and Skye will need money to cover their day to day needs while out of work. Thus the GoFundMe is set at $10,000. Please help our Skye-beast get the gender affirming surgery they need. We thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.
We understand that it can be difficult to spare money even for a great cause, so we ask you to make a donation that feels impactful for you. Each and every dollar brings Skye one step closer to relief. All individuals who donate $25 or more will receive a signed thank you card for their contribution if they include an address. Please consider tipping to keep GoFundMe cost free. Thank you again for your wonderful support!
Skye with their friend, Hannah in downtown Tacoma.Fundraising team: Skye's Friends (3)
Daneil Newcomb
Organizer
Seattle, WA
Jeri Lehto
Beneficiary
Jeri Lehto
Team member
S V
Team member
