Freedom to Dance Again: Star's Bottom Surgery Fund
Donation protected
Dear lovely fam,
My name is Saka and I am organizing this fundraiser to support my dear friend, Star. In October of 2020, Star, a fierce QTBIPOC Advocate/Community Leader/Educator is undergoing one of the most difficult and rewarding procedures in her transition - vaginoplasty.
As a little girl, Star had dreams of becoming a professional ballet dancer. From age 10 to 17 she took ballet and modern dance classes with renowned instructors whom would bring her one step closer to realizing her dreams. As Star is also transgender, dance served as an outlet to deal with the queerphobic harassment and bullying she faced outside and also within her own family. Once Star transitioned, dancing triggered a whole host of insecurities including body dysmorphia and shame. Her transness, more specifically her genitalia, placed restrictions on the freedom and fluidity she once felt to express her movements. Star eventually stopped dancing. Bottom surgery is a step forward in reclaiming her freedom and her body.
Star is and has been a fierce advocate for others. She gives without asking or looking to receive in return. This fundraiser is an act of love for my dear friend, who deserves to see folks rally around her, while she is still alive on this earth to receive it.
In 2019, 27 transgender people in the U.S. were murdered, the majority of whom were Black transgender women. This year 21 transgender people also lost their lives by violent transphobic attacks. It is estimated that the average life expectancy of trans women in the Americas is between 30 and 35. Despite increasing visibility of transgender people in popular culture, we still experience severe discrimination, systemic inequality, and stigma. Trans people are still discriminated against on the job and have even been refused emergency medical services and medical care. Those who’s documentation, presentation and genitalia do not match a person’s lived experience, have faced the most discrimination. This surgery is life-saving and giving.
Like most trans individuals, Star can speak to these experiences as she has many times been discriminated against by medical providers and hospital staff. She once found herself during a medical crisis, having to leave hospital because hospital staff openly discussed her trans identity and refused to use her proper pronouns, say nothing of the doctors who treated her like a science experiment and would not stop referring to her genitals, even as her condition did not require inspection of her genitals.
The cost of transitioning for trans people is incalculable. Even with insurance, transitional needs over a two-year period can average to about $20,000. We’ve set a goal of $15,000 to help cover Star’s hospitalization fees, pre and post-op care that her insurance will not cover for the 3 to 4 months that she will have to be out of work after vaginoplasty surgery.
Star will be the direct beneficiary of the funds and will use the donations as follows:
Surgery and hospitalization fees: $11,000
Rent: $2,000 (two months)
Food: $1,500
Misc./Post-surgery Supplies: $500
Total: $15,000
Your support is everything. Thank you so much <3
My name is Saka and I am organizing this fundraiser to support my dear friend, Star. In October of 2020, Star, a fierce QTBIPOC Advocate/Community Leader/Educator is undergoing one of the most difficult and rewarding procedures in her transition - vaginoplasty.
As a little girl, Star had dreams of becoming a professional ballet dancer. From age 10 to 17 she took ballet and modern dance classes with renowned instructors whom would bring her one step closer to realizing her dreams. As Star is also transgender, dance served as an outlet to deal with the queerphobic harassment and bullying she faced outside and also within her own family. Once Star transitioned, dancing triggered a whole host of insecurities including body dysmorphia and shame. Her transness, more specifically her genitalia, placed restrictions on the freedom and fluidity she once felt to express her movements. Star eventually stopped dancing. Bottom surgery is a step forward in reclaiming her freedom and her body.
Star is and has been a fierce advocate for others. She gives without asking or looking to receive in return. This fundraiser is an act of love for my dear friend, who deserves to see folks rally around her, while she is still alive on this earth to receive it.
In 2019, 27 transgender people in the U.S. were murdered, the majority of whom were Black transgender women. This year 21 transgender people also lost their lives by violent transphobic attacks. It is estimated that the average life expectancy of trans women in the Americas is between 30 and 35. Despite increasing visibility of transgender people in popular culture, we still experience severe discrimination, systemic inequality, and stigma. Trans people are still discriminated against on the job and have even been refused emergency medical services and medical care. Those who’s documentation, presentation and genitalia do not match a person’s lived experience, have faced the most discrimination. This surgery is life-saving and giving.
Like most trans individuals, Star can speak to these experiences as she has many times been discriminated against by medical providers and hospital staff. She once found herself during a medical crisis, having to leave hospital because hospital staff openly discussed her trans identity and refused to use her proper pronouns, say nothing of the doctors who treated her like a science experiment and would not stop referring to her genitals, even as her condition did not require inspection of her genitals.
The cost of transitioning for trans people is incalculable. Even with insurance, transitional needs over a two-year period can average to about $20,000. We’ve set a goal of $15,000 to help cover Star’s hospitalization fees, pre and post-op care that her insurance will not cover for the 3 to 4 months that she will have to be out of work after vaginoplasty surgery.
Star will be the direct beneficiary of the funds and will use the donations as follows:
Surgery and hospitalization fees: $11,000
Rent: $2,000 (two months)
Food: $1,500
Misc./Post-surgery Supplies: $500
Total: $15,000
Your support is everything. Thank you so much <3
Organizer
Saka Gupta
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY
