FFS FUND

Hey everyone! My name is Leah James, and I'm a photographer and performance artist living and working in NYC. I'm also a transgender woman, which is an important part of my identity.

I started my transition 4 years ago, and within that time, I’ve gained a great sense of pride in who I am, and have been so happy to experience self-actualization in a way I never imagined possible. I began hormone replacement therapy (estrogen) about 3 years ago, which has done wonders for my mental wellbeing. Now that my mental health has improved, I have been able to take time to focus on continuing my transition, and am very excited for the next step: FFS.

Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS) is an umbrella term for surgical procedures which are performed on a transgender patient to “feminize”/soften the features of their face, which are traditionally read as “masculine” characteristics. Recently, a surgeon that I have always dreamed of seeing has just been added to my insurance network, and after spending two months working with my insurance company, they have agreed to cover the bulk of these procedures! This surgery is something I had always hoped for, but never imagined as a possibility, as it is incredibly expensive ($20,000-$50,000). FFS will help to relieve a great amount of the gender dysphoria I experience on a daily basis, and I’m so looking forward to the day where I can feel comfortable leaving the house without feeling insecure about how I look.

I’m asking for your help with the costs of the procedures that are not covered by my insurance, as well as lost wages, recovery, and travel expenses. I am so grateful that insurance is covering the bulk of the procedures ($43,000), so I only need to make up the difference of $6,500 in order to make this happen, and any amount you can donate is a huge help.

Any form of contributing to or sharing this campaign is so utterly appreciated. I have so much gratitude for all of you, and wanted to provide something in return. I have included 6 perks (some art from my friends and I) for you to choose from as my way of saying thank you for helping me with this exciting next step. So much love to you all!

Xo,
Leah



PERKS/REWARDS

HANDWRITTEN THANK YOU POSTCARD - $25
Image by Michael Bailey-Gates





SET OF TWO BUTTON PINS - $35
"Chapel" by Laila McQueen (Tyler Devlin)
& "FEMME DADDY"





LEATHER CRYSTAL MEDICINE BAG NECKLACE - $50
Handmade by Ayla Argentina. This leather medicine bag can be worn as a necklace, attached to a purse/bag, or hung in your home. Rose Quartz is a stone of the heart, and a crystal of unconditional love. It carries a soft feminine energy of compassion, peace, tenderness, healing, and comfort. 
25 available.





LUNAR COLLAR - $75
Handmade leather collar by Earth Trauma. The "Lunar Collar" is dual-layered for comfort, strength, and aesthetic. Standard size fits a 11-15" neck size with adjustments available. Available in peach leather.
2 available.





"PSYCHIC HEART" by Leah James, 2015 - $100
11x14" archival inkjet print signed by the artist.
Printed in an edition of 30.





CUSTOM PORTRAIT by Tyler Devlin - $150
Receive a custom portrait created by Tyler Devlin AKA Laila McQueen. This portrait can be of yourself or any other person of your choosing. 4x6, signed.
1 available.

TATTOO BY MARS HOBRECKER - $250
Any (1) tattoo from Mars Hobrecker's flash sheet, you must be able to travel to his studio in Brooklyn, NY to recieve this perk if you claim it. See more of his work on instagram @marshobrecker
Only 1 available.





POSTOP PORTRAIT - $500
You'll receive a signed and framed 4x6" archival injet print of a self portrait taken directly after my surgery. Every stitch, bandage, bruise, and swell of my brand new face will be yours to enjoy for eternity. Edition of 10.
(Note: This image and frame are only used to illustrate the concept of this perk, the actual product will appear different.)