Hi, my name is Kurt, and I'm a 25 year old queer, disabled, mixed race trans man based in the North East of England. I'm a published author (my debut poetry chapbook came out in November 2024, woo!) and freelancer, and I have a scrappy little dog named Bear.

I have been living openly as a man since late 2017, when I came out in secondary school after long battles with denial, discomfort, and depression. However, due to a case of race and transphobia-motivated medical malpractice from a doctor at my GP practice when I was in university, as well as the stigma and fear-mongering surrounding gender affirming care, I did not pursue a medical transition right away... something which I immensely regret.

I struggle heavily with my gender dysphoria, to the point where daily life becomes a struggle. It has led to suicidal thoughts, disordered eating, and my pre-existing social anxiety has worsened to the point where I find it hard to even leave the house. Thanks to recent anti-transgender legislation surrounding public bathrooms, these fears have worsened and spawned other problems, leading to me being on a waiting list for OCD talking therapy. Though I am grateful for, and lucky to have, the support of my friends and family, my mental state has affected every single relationship in my life negatively, at some point. On top of this, I suffer from chronic asthma, and shoulder pain, which makes wearing a binder daily very difficult - I am often forced to choose between mildly alleviating my dysphoria, or being able to breathe.

As of 2024, I have been referred by my doctor to the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health. This was by choice. The wait list to even receive an appointment at Nottingham (which doesn't guarantee I will even be treated) via the NHS is five years, and this was the shortest option, compared to closer clinics like Newcastle, where the waitlist was seven years.

To put it simply, I am exhausted, and I cannot wait that long. I believe it will be a risk to my life if I wait that long.

I have always supported and shared the fundraisers of others, and have been an active member of my community through my work in local queer arts scenes across the North of the UK. It's in my nature to feel embarrassed, or guilty, to ask for money, and the enormity of the situation can be overwhelming, but it is time to put myself first.

To that end, I want to fund my own hormone replacement therapy through a service like GenderGP. While I do earn royalties from my book, and make money through my freelance activities and a part-time job as a social media assistant for a music CIC in my city, this is not consistent enough to support my needs - I am currently living with my mother and youngest sibling, because none of us have the means to make ends meet alone. I am in the process of looking for full time work, but the market for creative jobs (especially hybrid) is dire thanks to the rise of AI usage, and manual labour isn't necessarily a practical option for someone with my chronic conditions.

After careful consideration, and seeking advice from my community, I've decided to set up this fundraiser. I have set staggered goals on the GoFundMe, because I am well aware that the queer community are all struggling, and I certainly don't expect to raise the full costs immediately.

My initial goal will cover the costs of:

These are just the initial costs for the first year of treatment, as I'd prefer to take things one step at a time; the goal may shift once I've had that initial meeting, received confirmed price points, and begun to think about next steps (e.g. top surgery, etc). The money raised here will go toward my transition, and anything extra will more generally help me survive (food, vet bills, therapy bills, prescriptions etc).

While I hope, one day, to be in the privileged position of financing this necessary care myself, these funds will provide some much needed security while paying even regular monthly bills is still a struggle.

The world, especially the UK, is a hostile environment for transgender people, but I intend to live as authentically, and as happily, as possible. Anything you can give will be of immense help to improving my quality of life. I know that times are hard, so even getting the word out there and sharing this fundraiser around will make all the difference.

Thank you so much for your help. I'll post updates regarding the fundraiser as and when they come.

Kurt x