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As many of you know, I have been on a years long journey of self discovery and acceptance. I am so grateful to my community of super radical, loving, and supportive allies who have helped me arrive at a physical and spiritual decision to have a life-affirming surgery. Without you, and your incredible patience, kindness, and insight while I talked through all of my concerns and doubts and questions, I would not have the confidence today to know I deserve this.
I finally have a date, and on November 4th I will be having a double mastectomy, or what in the trans community is called double incision or chest masculinization. This is a celebration of authenticity and self-determination, and my joy and relief and excitement are indescribable!
Although we in the US are tentatively taking baby steps toward entering a new era of trans acceptance, the majority of people pursuing life-saving medical interventions to live their lives in the bodies in which they feel comfortable and safe face gatekeeping, abandonment by their support systems, workplace discrimination, internalized transphobia, insanely high rates of depression and suicide, harassment, misunderstanding and gaslighting, violence, and many other struggles. I’m risking a lot to be the person I truly am, but I am risking so much more if I don’t have this surgery. I’ve been very lucky to have a supportive therapist who has helped me find qualified surgeons who perform this surgery not only with medical experience and artistic skill, but also with a philosophy of care to do their best to not do emotional harm through this process that is personally such a positive step in my healing.
While this surgery is covered by national governments in other democratic nations, the US still refuses to meet the basic needs of its citizens by providing healthcare to all. And although I make my employer $100,000 a year on my labor, they refuse to provide healthcare benefits, and I pay out of pocket for insurance that still does not fully cover this expensive surgery.
This is how you can contribute. In addition to surgery costs and lost income while I’m off work for nearly 2 months, I will have to purchase medications, scar care products, and other post op care items, a few new shirts, and possibly get some help around the house the first couple weeks when I’m alone while my partner works. Please consider donating what you can.
Even $10 makes a difference!
I finally have a date, and on November 4th I will be having a double mastectomy, or what in the trans community is called double incision or chest masculinization. This is a celebration of authenticity and self-determination, and my joy and relief and excitement are indescribable!
Although we in the US are tentatively taking baby steps toward entering a new era of trans acceptance, the majority of people pursuing life-saving medical interventions to live their lives in the bodies in which they feel comfortable and safe face gatekeeping, abandonment by their support systems, workplace discrimination, internalized transphobia, insanely high rates of depression and suicide, harassment, misunderstanding and gaslighting, violence, and many other struggles. I’m risking a lot to be the person I truly am, but I am risking so much more if I don’t have this surgery. I’ve been very lucky to have a supportive therapist who has helped me find qualified surgeons who perform this surgery not only with medical experience and artistic skill, but also with a philosophy of care to do their best to not do emotional harm through this process that is personally such a positive step in my healing.
While this surgery is covered by national governments in other democratic nations, the US still refuses to meet the basic needs of its citizens by providing healthcare to all. And although I make my employer $100,000 a year on my labor, they refuse to provide healthcare benefits, and I pay out of pocket for insurance that still does not fully cover this expensive surgery.
This is how you can contribute. In addition to surgery costs and lost income while I’m off work for nearly 2 months, I will have to purchase medications, scar care products, and other post op care items, a few new shirts, and possibly get some help around the house the first couple weeks when I’m alone while my partner works. Please consider donating what you can.
Even $10 makes a difference!