Lije loses their long-suffering lactators

Hi all,

My name is Elijah, Lije, Lijah, Franco, Dograt ...et al.

So, who is Elijah?

I'm a 31-year-old non-binary/transmasc baddie living on unceded Boon Wurrung Country, Naarm - so-called Melbourne, Australia, who is *uncomfortably* reaching out to the community to ask for help raising money for my top surgery!

It took me 30 years to finally come out as queer and many emotional months later, non-binary and transgender.

Shortly after, I began to medically and socially transition (change my name and pronouns and start hormone therapy)

All whilst also navigating complex mental health issues, a long overdue diagnosis of ADHD, completing my second-year undergraduate degree in Social Work, moving house, starting a new job and a blossoming new relationship – cute.

It would be an understatement to say it took me a long road to get to where I am today, which is finally starting to feel comfortable in my forever home – my body. I’ve been on testosterone for over 12 months, which has been the best decision I’ve ever made and to have top surgery as well would be life-changing and lifesaving.

So, what is top surgery?

For me (no two procedures are the same), it is a double mastectomy (yeet the teets) and remodelling of the chest to look as close as possible to a cisgender male. What does that even mean? Essentially, the term cisgender means the gender you identify with and express now is the same one that was presumed for you at birth. “But don’t you identify as non-binary”? Yep, but I align with a more masculine identity and masculine body, don’t get me wrong, I LOVE tiddies – just not on me!

These are just some of the costs that I will incur pre, during and post-surgical procedure

All of the above included while also paying for my medications every month, specialists’ appointments, other therapy costs, cat food, rent and the general cost of living - this is why I’m reaching out to ask for your help.

I acknowledge my privilege of working full-time, and I'm trying my darndest to save all my pennies – unfortunately, accessing these lifesaving services are expensive as heck and often inaccessible for transgender folk - should we value our safety, privacy, dignity and self-respect - which is a fun new thing I'm trying on for size.

So, what do I need?

If you happen to stumble across this, I would be eternally grateful if you could share it across your social media channels, tell your mates, repost and repost again. Any amount would be very much appreciated if you have the means to donate - much more than I could ever possibly try and articulate.

So, what will you get in return?

Thank you so much for reading this <3

Lije x