Hi! I’m Marrick, a 22-year old college art student currently living in Southern California. I spend most of my days drawing and working towards a dream career in animation; playing with my cat Trilo; learning and reading about geology; and watching sci-fi and fantasy movies with my best friends.

I’ve been trans for as long as I can remember, even prior to when I understood why I felt the way I did. Coming out wasn’t easy and took a lot of big leaps; some landed while others did not, but despite encountering resistance and setbacks, I pushed forward for myself and worked towards embodying who I truly felt I was. I made small steps to socially transition in high school, but fully came out and socially transitioned in 2019, and began testosterone in 2021.

I’m creating this fundraiser for a quarter of the cost of my top surgery, a major milestone in my transition because of its direct connection to my dysphoria, and overall mental wellbeing. I’ve tried to convince myself it wasn’t in the cards for me because of the high cost, but my dysphoria has continued to eat away at me. Even though I tried to ignore it, I decided it was too important of a part of me to continue to neglect. For me to live a happier, healthier life, I know I will need to go through with top surgery. I began the process of searching for a top surgeon and transition care a year ago, but have had to jump through hoops dealing with insurance, searching for primary care physicians, and in-and-out of network providers, all in the midst of an administration that looks down on my community and continues to restrict affordable and accessible life-saving care. It took nearly a year to get a consultation with a clinic that accepts my insurance, but the next challenge became paying for it.

I currently work in food service and am searching for a second job; I also sell my art as a way to make a little extra. Currently, neither is enough to pay the full cost when I have to factor in my overall cost of living. I struggle to see a future anytime soon where I can afford to pay this bill off, despite its absolute importance to me, but I want to continue to hold hope and optimism for my own future.

Thank you for taking the time to read a bit of my story. Truly, anything helps and I appreciate your support regardless of donation.