Hi friends! I am so excited to announce that on July 10, I get to have gender-affirming top surgery. I recognize the privilege I have to live in a state that is still able to perform gender-affirming surgeries and that sadly, many trans people aren’t so lucky.

As many of you know, I am trans nonbinary. I legally changed my name awhile back and have been using they/them pronouns for several years. Those two things have helped keep my gender dysphoria at bay but the more I come to understand myself, the more I know how much top surgery will help me feel at home in my body.

It’s difficult to explain what dysphoria feels like and why gender-affirming care/surgery is truly life-saving. I hope you can trust that no one knows what trans people need more than trans people themselves. I’ve been thinking about top surgery for around 5 years and am beyond excited to move forward. I’ve tried binding (and love the euphoria I feel when I look in the mirror) but because of my chronic pain/fibromyalgia, I’m unable to do it often.

I feel uncomfortable in my body every day. I feel uncomfortable in my clothes, when I’m bathing or changing, when I’m in public or just at home with my spouse. I’m uncomfortable even when it’s just me alone with my body.

To get up each day and be at home in my body would be a dream come true. Sorry, it WILL be a dream come true. Because it’s happening. Eee!

I know I have friends who want to help support the trans community during this time but don’t know what to do. Most importantly: VOTE. Vote like my life depends on it… because it does.

Another way you can help is to support trans folk as they seek to get the care they need. Whether it’s by supporting my surgery, someone else’s surgery, or helping someone access care in a safe state, it all makes a difference.

I’m grateful to have some insurance coverage but still expect to pay several thousand dollars out of pocket. Because of my mental and physical health issues, we are a single-income, public school teacher household. To be less of a financial burden, I setup this fundraiser - that being said, please do not give if it will put additional stress onto you or your family.

I can’t thank you enough for your support. You all mean the world to me.

Your friend,

Koda (they/them)