H’s (top surgery) transition help!

Hi there!

My name is H (you might know me as Gina Tonic). I’m a 19-year-old proud trans man from Coventry.

Asking for help is something I’ve always struggled with, but I know I’m lucky to have friends and a community who want to support me on my transition journey. So I’m reaching out to ask for help funding something that would mean the world to me: top surgery.

Living with a bigger chest as a trans man has been incredibly difficult, both physically and mentally. For years, I’ve imagined how freeing it would be to live my life without constantly worrying about how my chest looks. Top surgery would bring me a huge sense of relief, comfort, and confidence, it would quite literally change my life.

I came out as trans in early 2018, but being in foster care and struggling with my mental health made it too scary to fully be myself. I tried to “fake it to make it,” but even then, I wore a binder almost every day because of how insecure I felt.

When I turned 18, I was lucky enough to find myself surrounded with the most accepting friends and finally start living as my true self. I’ve also started testosterone, which I’m incredibly grateful for, it’s been an amazing first step in my transition.

Now, I’m hoping to take the next one: top surgery. I’ve had a consultation and been quoted £4,300, which includes the surgery itself, blood tests, general anaesthesia, accommodation, and transport to and from the airport and accommodation/ hospital.

I know it’s a big ask, and I don’t expect to reach the full amount, but any donation, no matter the size, means so much to me. I have set the goal lower, as I do not expect the full amount to be raised alone, I will be saving my own money to add to this. Even just sharing this helps more than you know.

Thank you for reading, for supporting, and for believing in me.

With love,

H <3