Ty's Top Surgery Fund - Take Ty's Tits Off

Hi, I'm Ty. I'm a non-binary theatre maker, actor and teacher. And after a lot of debating, I have decided to raise money for my top surgery.

I'm quickly approaching my mid-20's, and I don't want to spend any more time living in body that doesn't feel like mine - I've done it for long enough now and every day it gets more difficult. My aim is to have my surgery before I turn 25. Here's more about me:

Since I was around 15 (aside from the occasional stage show) I have hidden my body in baggy clothes, and at 17 realised that this was because I am non-binary. From then on I have hidden myself in binders as well in order to combat my dysphoria - now I finally had the vocabulary to express what I was feeling. Since I started living my truth 5 years ago, I have been living an authentic life as my true self. But this doesn't mean that dysphoria and binding aren't incredibly painful. When I was out in Italy in the heat of summer, in 35-40 degree heat, I couldn't face not wearing my binder. I would like to be able to live without a binder everyday. Its hot, its uncomfortable. Wearing it gives me physical pain, not wearing it gives me mental pain. Surgery is the only way I will be able to live a life in a body I am comfortable in.

As I became an adult, I thought that the government in power would work to make life/society as accepting and easy as possible. Sadly, this did not happen, and now we are living through a government which is actively seeking to make transitioning as difficult as possible for those who need it. Since this government came into power they have been unrelenting in their attempts to stunt transgender and non-binary rights and recognition. The decision to scrap the reforms to the gender recognition act which would allow transgender and non-binary people to self-identify has made it increasingly more difficult to transition using NHS services - services which are underfunded and oversubscribed to. This just goes to show - this government is not acting in favour of its trans civilians. Sadly, the NHS is simply not an option for me due to the extensive and outdated process needed to even be considered ‘eligible’ for surgery. This is why I have decided to raise money and pay privately for my transition healthcare. I have set the target to £6000 but it will likely be a lot more than this overall. This money is to aid me and supplement my own savings on my journey.

I know a lot of people won’t be in a position to donate, and that’s ok. But the smallest amount or a share, anything will help such a long way to this life-changing and gender-affirming procedure. Thank you.