Julien’s Top Surgery

Hi. My name is Julien Langevin, I’m a twenty three year old transgender guy living in Portland, Maine. I’m an artist, writer, and I’d like to think of myself as an activist. Most of you reading this will probably know me I’m assuming, but I felt it would be appropriate to introduce myself anyway.


For twenty three years I’ve been developing into a body that doesn’t feel like mine. When I hit female puberty around twelve was when I first remember trying to conceal this process, stop it from happening. I would bind my chest with ace bandages because of my uncomfort. For a while my dysphoria neutralized, or I found a way to deal with it enough until I found out that there was a way to “safely” bind my chest and appear more androgynous. I always knew I wanted surgery, that there was no way I could live my entire life with these things attached to my chest causing me pain, outing me, and holding me back.


So, for the past two years I have been in the process of trying to receive this surgery. I have finally found a doctor I feel comfortable with. I have a consultation for surgery on October 7th, and am aiming to have the surgery in February. However, my insurance did not accept my appeal for coverage. And so we’re here. And I’m asking for your help.


I’ve always been hesitant about asking for anything from other people, and I’m not asking for the total cost of surgery to be covered (although that would be incredible), just some help to relieve the pressure that an 8,000 dollar surgery and taking six weeks off of work will create. I’ve found so much warmth, healing, and hope in the Portland queer community that I love being part of. I want to continue giving back to this community in any way I can, and I think this surgery will help me do this.


I work in an extremely public job, a coffee shop. Every day hundreds of strangers come through the door and look at me and either see me as male, female, or something they can’t decipher. It’s mostly female, and although this makes me sad and confused, I know that this surgery will help me pass more safely and feel more comfortable and confident in the body I’m in. And hopefully people’s perceptions about me will start to change with it.


So, please, help my get something off my chest (literally). This is one of the few things in my life that I have been sure that I needed, and I know it’s a big thing, but it’s so completely necessary. 


In return for donating, if you wish, I will send you a small piece of art as a thank you. Any contribution towards my goal would mean the absolute world to me and I would like to thank each and every person who donates personally. 


So if this feels like something that you’re interested in, feel compelled to, or passionate about, consider donating. But honestly, thank you for reading this far. You’re all incredible and I’m so thankful.


Best,

Julien