Hi, I’m Suri (she/her), a 28 year old trans woman from India, now living in Germany and pursuing my PhD.

I might be the first trans woman ever in the field of Brain Cancer Research to do a PhD, something I fought hard for through my bachelor’s, master’s, and now doctoral studies, all while supporting my family back home. Education has always been my way to survive, to create, and to prove that people like me belong in every space.

But lately, the constant transphobia, misgendering, and daily hostility have worn me down. I face stares in public, invasive questions about my body, aggressive reactions, and at times even violence here in Germany. As a brown trans woman who can’t simply “blend in”, existing in these spaces often fills me with constant anxiety and takes a deep toll on my mental health. Despite all the work I’ve done to build a safer life, I still struggle to feel comfortable in my own skin and at peace in public. Being far from home hasn’t meant being free; fear and discomfort still follow me every day. And the thought of returning to India, where being myself could mean even more violence and rejection, truly breaks my heart. The threats I’ve received from back home are a painful reminder of that reality.

On top of this, I’ve lived with gender and body dysphoria for as long as I can remember, which makes daily life even harder. That’s why I’ve decided to begin my gender-affirming journey, through bottom surgery, facial feminization surgery, top surgery, and electrolysis, to finally live in peace with myself. This fundraiser isn’t about vanity. It’s about survival, dignity, and becoming whole. I want to live a life where I can exist freely, safely, and authentically.

I don’t have financial support from home, and most of what I earn goes to helping my family. I lost my parents when I was 3 and have had it hard throughout my life. So I’m asking for help from my community, people who believe every trans person deserves to live as their true self.

Every donation, no matter the size, brings me closer to the safety, self-love, and peace I’ve been dreaming of. I promise that once I make it through this journey and become the scientist I’m working so hard to be, I will give back. My goal is to help other trans and queer people in need, just as I’ve been helped along the way.

In today’s increasingly transphobic environment, where support from institutions and governing bodies is often absent, uplifting and empowering trans people has become more urgent than ever. Your support doesn’t just help me, it’s part of a larger act of resistance and care.

Thank you for believing in me, for caring, and for helping me get one step closer to living freely and authentically.

With love and gratitude,

Suri