Help Shawn Afford Top Surgery
Donation protected
Hello friends!
I am a cat parent, student, educator, partner, and friend based in Nashville, TN. My studies and work focus on supporting queer and trans students, as well as all historically disenfranchised people, in out of school settings. Part of my work is supporting LGBTQI youth across Tennessee as they develop and implement campaigns to make their schools and communities safer for queer communities across the state and country. It is through my work with queer youth that I have been able to really work through this journey of self discovery.
I am excited (and nervous) to announce that I have set a date for top surgery. On March 1st, Dr. Kent Higdon of Vanderbilt Medical Center will be performing a surgery that will remove my breasts, and leave me with a flat chest. For me, this surgery is helping me to move towards the body that more aligns with my cognitive understanding of self. I am a genderqueer person, which means that I don't identify as a man or woman, and use they/them/theirs pronouns. For many of you this is old news, but to some, this may be new! This is something I have thought about deeply and thoroughly, with the help of family, friends, and healthcare professionals. Getting this surgery will allow me to live as my full self, and is a decision that I do not take lightly. By getting top surgery, I will be able to freely move through the world and be seen as the person I am. I am excited to play sports, go swimming, and dress in ways that better support my gender identity once the surgery is complete. For those interested in the continuation of my journey, I do not plan on going on hormone therapy, or seeking any further medical interventions beyond this surgery.
If you have the means, and are able to donate to this cause, I would be forever grateful to partner with you on this journey. While insurance will be covering some of the costs, there are peripheral costs that are not covered by insurance, that this money will go towards. Thank you so much for your generosity, for your witness, and for your support.
Love, and love, and love again,
Shawn
I am a cat parent, student, educator, partner, and friend based in Nashville, TN. My studies and work focus on supporting queer and trans students, as well as all historically disenfranchised people, in out of school settings. Part of my work is supporting LGBTQI youth across Tennessee as they develop and implement campaigns to make their schools and communities safer for queer communities across the state and country. It is through my work with queer youth that I have been able to really work through this journey of self discovery.
I am excited (and nervous) to announce that I have set a date for top surgery. On March 1st, Dr. Kent Higdon of Vanderbilt Medical Center will be performing a surgery that will remove my breasts, and leave me with a flat chest. For me, this surgery is helping me to move towards the body that more aligns with my cognitive understanding of self. I am a genderqueer person, which means that I don't identify as a man or woman, and use they/them/theirs pronouns. For many of you this is old news, but to some, this may be new! This is something I have thought about deeply and thoroughly, with the help of family, friends, and healthcare professionals. Getting this surgery will allow me to live as my full self, and is a decision that I do not take lightly. By getting top surgery, I will be able to freely move through the world and be seen as the person I am. I am excited to play sports, go swimming, and dress in ways that better support my gender identity once the surgery is complete. For those interested in the continuation of my journey, I do not plan on going on hormone therapy, or seeking any further medical interventions beyond this surgery.
If you have the means, and are able to donate to this cause, I would be forever grateful to partner with you on this journey. While insurance will be covering some of the costs, there are peripheral costs that are not covered by insurance, that this money will go towards. Thank you so much for your generosity, for your witness, and for your support.
Love, and love, and love again,
Shawn
Organiser
Shawn Reilly
Organiser
Nashville, TN
