Hii I’m Dainty, and if you're reading this...I'm trans.

I’m lucky to know many of you from being a local drag performer, nail artist, sister, and friend. The past two and a half years have been such a long road with my transition, but I cannot express how eternally grateful I am for this community’s endless support. To reach the next step of my transition, I am setting up this GoFundMe for my Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS).

Transitioning in Tallahassee, Florida has been a very polarizing experience. On one end, I am blessed to feel supported by my friends, family, and coworkers. I’ve built lifelong friendships, carved out an understanding of myself that I’ve never had before, and even helped found the ever-flourishing Haus of Solara. I’ve found my family here.

On the other hand, living in the capital of a state that has been continuously drafting anti-trans legislation and making attacks against trans rights has been challenging. I have felt as though I'm under a microscope here, and being as visible as I am, I can easily say that I’ve never felt fully safe. I drive past the Governor's Mansion every day to visit my boyfriend, and it’s a cold feeling knowing that I could be less than 500 feet from a man who wants to outlaw my gender-affirming care. This is one of the reasons I am looking to get FFS, I want to feel safer in my skin.

Not feeling safe in my own skin has followed me into many different facets of my life. I’ve struggled with my confidence to pursue jobs and creative opportunities because I'm so worried about how I will be perceived. In my years of being trans, I've learned to be kind, considerate, and patient with others in the hope that they will see me as who I am. But ultimately, at a brief glance, I can still be perceived as “a boy pretending to be a girl” which can have dangerous repercussions. My facial feminization will really help so that when people even just pass me on the street there will be no confusion that I am a girl (just with a lil sum extra ;p)

The donations that you provide will go directly towards covering the cost of my FFS. Unfortunately, my insurance does not cover FFS, so all of my expenses will have to be paid out of pocket. While I will be seeking assistance from gender-affirming organizations in New York to help with part of the surgery cost, the funds raised will also help with consultation fees, transportation, lodging, and cover the income I will lose from being out of work for 2-5 weeks.

To help raise money, my drag family, Haus of Solara, and I are hosting a drag show fundraiser at 926 Bar & Grill on April 27th, 2024, called "CVNTCHELLA: FFSTIVAL," featuring many of Tallahassee's favorite local performers! This will also be Haus of Solara's last show in Tallahassee, and we are feeling so much love from our community for helping us raise money by volunteering. This fundraiser will in essence be our love letter to the people who have supported us so completely.

I cannot stress how much I know this surgery will change my life and, again, thank you so much for being a part of my community that supports me so. Any donation would be extremely generous and if you are unable to donate, sharing on social media or with your family and friends would mean just as much. Thanks for taking the time to read this and I love you so so much!

Dainty <3