Hello, my name is Ethan and I am a twenty-three year old graduate student from Virginia. When I was eighteen, I realized that something about who I was didn't feel right. After talking about it with friends and consulting forums online, I realized that I am transgender.

Ever since 2018, I have been presenting as a man, wearing gender-affirming clothing, and using the name Ethan. I started Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in the Summer of 2022, and the hormone therapy has made me feel better about myself than I have ever had before. As of November of 2023, I am a year and three months on hormones. I feel great about the way I look and how I sound, but there's one thing that still gives me immense dysphoria and hatred for my body.

My chest is the number one source of the gender dysphoria and body negativity I carry in my life. Chest Masculinization Surgery, or Top Surgery, would rid me of the last physicality pulling my confidence down. I am making this GoFundMe with the goal of raising enough money to pay for my Top Surgery and continue to care for myself and my dog, Maddux, as I recover from surgery and will not be able to work.

My surgery is not eligible for any aid from insurance, and I will have to pay for everything out of pocket. For me, this would mean taking out a personal loan on top of the tens of thousands of student loans I will already have under my name when I graduate with my Master's Degree in May 2024. I am grateful for any aid, shares, or kind words you may have to donate to my cause. Thank you for taking the time to read.