AJs TOPPY CHOPPY (top surgery fundraiser)

**update** hey friends! In an Exciting turn of events, I’ve managed to snag a cancellation spot for surgery, which means my surgery is now scheduled for March 6th. Whilst this is super exciting that I am getting surgery in less than 2 weeks, I now have less time to financially prepare & my surgery quote was £1200 more expensive than the estimated quote, which has meant I’ve had to put the money I’d saved for recovery towards the surgery cost, which means I will be left with nothing, no savings and no safety net, whilst I take a month off work unpaid.

Any last minute donations and shares to help make this a little less scary are so appreciated! Thanks for helping me along this journey, and I can’t wait to be healed up, happy, living my best life, and financially able to start paying this kindness forward by helping other people fundraise. AJ

Hi I’m AJ, I’m a trans masculine tattooist from the Brighton/Eastbourne area and my pronouns are he/they . This fund is for my top surgery, which will really help my mental and physical health.

Its a huge amount of money and I will never be able to achieve this on my own, I will be working hard to save towards this goal over the next few years by hosting tattoo flash days, and other fundraising means. Currently I bind my chest, which isn’t good for my ribs and chest to do long term, especially with the hours I work meaning I am sometimes in my binder for 15 hours a day making it near impossible to stick to safe binding rules.

I am on the waiting list for nhs gender identity clinic but judging by the current wait times it will be around 5+ years before I get a first appointment and a further 18+ months to jump through hoops to get top surgery. Starting testosterone has improved my confidence and mental health amazingly I feel more aligned with my body and like I’m becoming who I’m meant to be. Continuing to take testosterone and having Top surgery would really help with dysphoria, avoid getting misgendered as often, and make me feel confident to go swimming more often! (One of my favourite activities)

The kindly donated money will go towards the costs associated with top surgery. Any support is amazing! Sharing is massively appreciated even if you can’t donate. I appreciate you!️‍