Black Queer Liberation Fund: Top Surgery

Hello, thanks for reading about my story.

My name is dana (they/them), a Black queer spouse, educator and documentary artist.

For years, the ways I've shown up in the world have led me down many forked roads. In my youth, I felt so free and comfortable in my body (see cover photo ☺️), but as a pre-teen, my confidence gradually dissolved once my breasts developed. Unwanted pressure to present more "girly" led to a disconnect from my body.

Today, I celebrate a beautiful queer reality. I no longer choose to mourn my body but honor myself with compassionate care. Choosing has offered many gifts: legal name and gender marker changes, marriage and chosen family, and receiving gender-affirming care such as hormone therapy (HRT) from LGBTQ+-friendly healthcare professionals.

After consulting with a California surgical team, I am scheduled for chest masculinization surgery in 2023.

I am asking for $5,000 to offset surgery and after-care costs.

Healing is critical for my liberation. Post-op, I’ll be on bed rest for a minimum of 6 weeks. This necessary pause requires additional support for myself and my family.

All funds raised will go toward housing security, transportation for check-ups with surgeons, herbs and supplies for pain management.

I have deep gratitude to you all for supporting Black queer liberation. I look forward to feeling more euphoria and experiencing the dream of driving my truck shirtless while holding my wife’s hand!

"...queer as being about the self that is at odds with everything around it and has to invent and create and find a place to speak and to thrive and to live." - bell hooks

To all paths not well-beaten,

dana washington-queen