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Hi! My name is Kira, and my pronouns are they/them. I am a non-binary, transmasculine individual raising funds for gender-affirming top surgery!
Gender dysphoria is the term used to describe a sense of discomfort or distress that a person may experience because of a mismatch between their gender identity and their sex assigned at birth. Methods of relieving gender dysphoria include transitioning socially (pronoun usage, name change, etc.) and physically (binding/packing/tucking, hormone replacement therapy [HRT], surgical interventions, etc.). I started socially transitioning in college in late 2014 when I came out to a few close friends as asexual and non-binary.
I have not started HRT at this time due to personal reasons. And while it continues to simmer on my back burner, at the forefront of my mind right now is relief from the dysphoria surrounding my chest. I have been binding my chest for many, many years, even at the expense of my physical health. Binders are compression garments worn to flatten the chest and give the illusion that you have no breast tissue. They are tight, restrict breathing, cause overheating, irritate the skin, bruise your ribs and cause unwanted back pain. And binding tape has only served to give me scars from where the tape has pulled at my skin and blistered from the adhesive. Binding is a double-edged sword. It can provide relief, but knowing you have to do it can heighten the dysphoria you already feel.
I have wanted to get top surgery for the better part of the last ten years. But due to backlash, the nature of my career, and the insidious aspect of American healthcare, I have kept putting it off. And I am tired. I am tired of waiting for those around me to be comfortable with who I am and how I need to live my life. And I am tired of two-faced allies.
I currently have a surgery date set for December 13, 2022. And to maximize my recovery, I will be out of work for six weeks, eight if necessary. Four weeks is the average, but I am in the animal care profession, and I need to let myself heal to the fullest extent before returning to a job of such physical nature.
This GoFundMe is to help cover any additional medical expenses that my insurance will not cover. It is also to help fund my recovery because if I get approved for disability, I will only be receiving maybe $200/week. Folks, I live in New York City. Do the math. That's not even a penny in comparison to my rent payment alone. I also would like to eat. I have been trying to save my own money, but it's tough to do that when you live paycheck to paycheck.
Because the surgery date is so far out, I won't accurately know what I will have to pay out of pocket until September, at the earliest. However, I also can't apply for disability at work until 30 days out from the procedure, which will decide whether I have to use my own accrued time first. So the fundraising goal at this time is ballpark. It may change as I get closer to the set date.
In a perfect world, or at least in a country with Univeral Healthcare, this GoFundMe probably wouldn't be necessary. But here we are. Any little bit helps, and I thank you for your support and continued support of LGBTQ+ people.
Edit: All proceeds from any shirt sales from my Tee Spring store will go directly to my fund