My name is Jesse, I identify as gender queer/non-binary and my pronouns are they/them. I grew up in the Bay Area, where I fell in love with vintage resale - I have affectively thrifted my way across the entire Northern California region - From Sacramento to San Francisco, and everywhere in between. Through secondhand resale and vintage curation I learned the incredible value of self expression at a low price. Having grown up poor, closeted, and non binary, giving myself access to express and explore my gender changed my life. Through this I created Gone West Vintage, my own store of vintage clothing. I believe in the importance of access to clothing in which we can find ourselves- as a non binary person who would, in standard USA fashion industry be considered plus size, the average trend clothing that affirms my gender is virtually non existent.
Through Gone West I am able to help myself and others affordably express ourselves outside of a binary standard.
I have been in the process of getting approved for top surgery and waitlisted for almost two years now due to complications with my paperwork approval. Today I was contacted about a sudden opening and opportunity for me to get surgery on February 10th - less than two weeks from now. Gender affirmation surgery would change my life more than I could ever express. Besides the obvious - gender dysphoria, physical pain from binding- due to the overall substantial weight (both mental and physical) of my breasts, I have developed severe scoliosis and experience chronic, virtually constant pain.
While I am currently insured under Kaiser Permanente as a I grew up in the Bay Area, I recently moved to Portland, OR, where I work full time as well as curate Gone West Vintage. To get this surgery I will need to travel back to the bay area and stay for at least 10 days post op.
Given the short term notice of the surgery date, I am attempting to raise enough money to cover my rent, the two weeks minimum I will be taking off work, and travel expenses - including a safe place to stay my first week post op, when I will be bedridden. My insurance coverage expires on April first, and the waitlist for this specific doctor is over a year - Effectively making this a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to receive gender affirmation surgery. I am asking for your help to make this life changing procedure possible for me.
I am tremendously grateful for the support of my community, without which none of this would be remotely possible. I cannot thank enough those of you who donate, share, or just read my story.
Through Gone West I am able to help myself and others affordably express ourselves outside of a binary standard.
I have been in the process of getting approved for top surgery and waitlisted for almost two years now due to complications with my paperwork approval. Today I was contacted about a sudden opening and opportunity for me to get surgery on February 10th - less than two weeks from now. Gender affirmation surgery would change my life more than I could ever express. Besides the obvious - gender dysphoria, physical pain from binding- due to the overall substantial weight (both mental and physical) of my breasts, I have developed severe scoliosis and experience chronic, virtually constant pain.
While I am currently insured under Kaiser Permanente as a I grew up in the Bay Area, I recently moved to Portland, OR, where I work full time as well as curate Gone West Vintage. To get this surgery I will need to travel back to the bay area and stay for at least 10 days post op.
Given the short term notice of the surgery date, I am attempting to raise enough money to cover my rent, the two weeks minimum I will be taking off work, and travel expenses - including a safe place to stay my first week post op, when I will be bedridden. My insurance coverage expires on April first, and the waitlist for this specific doctor is over a year - Effectively making this a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to receive gender affirmation surgery. I am asking for your help to make this life changing procedure possible for me.
I am tremendously grateful for the support of my community, without which none of this would be remotely possible. I cannot thank enough those of you who donate, share, or just read my story.
Organizer
Jesse Kass
Organizer
Portland, OR