tw// mentions of transphobia, homophobia and gender dysphoria
hi! :) My name is Natasha (they/them), and I am a 22 year old Indian nonbinary transmasc lesbian person who is currently located in Pittsburgh for school. I love being a trans lesbian individual, and every experience I’ve had with my gender and sexuality, whether it be negative or positive, has given me the ability to love and liberate myself. I came out as nonbinary in the summer of 2019, and chest dysphoria has always been present in my life since I was a child. When I was little, family used to tell me that “gay and trans people belong in mental institutions, and they are an abomination.” I always heard from my parents and peers, "Why do you look like a man, that's not right and it's gross."Two years ago, at a bar, someone walked up to me and said, “I don’t mean to offend you, and don’t take this offensively- but are you a faggot, and are you transgender?” He then proceeded to grab me continuously. Every time I walk outside, at least one person stares at me because I am a nonbinary lesbian, I wear mens clothing, I have short hair, and I wear a binder. I remember the first time that I got a piece of mens clothing- a baggy oversized Marc Ecko shirt from Marshalls that hid my (nonexistent at the time but still feared) titties. I've always hated the feeling of my breasts, and they've impacted me so much that I simply panic because my binder won't hide them completely or because they are slightly moving when I walk. I started watching top surgery videos in middle school, and I used to (and still do!) sit and watch them for hours. I learned how to utilize my style to make me as comfortable as I could with my body, but that method can be seen as more as a way of numbing the dysphoria rather than feeling liberated with my body. I’m so lucky to have the support of my mom, sister, best friends, and my partner, as well as you too. 

Getting top surgery is vital to not only my happiness, but my survival, liberation, and comfort as a trans human being. 

I have my surgery scheduled for July 12th! I am an unemployed, very low-income student and am trying to raise money to pay with no insurance. The cost of surgery will be $8,500 including after surgery fees. 

Thank you so much! This means the world to me, and if I can reimburse anyone in any way I would love to! I am a musician, and I would love to sing /learn any song requested! 

We must not only educate on the trans experience but elevate visibility of trans and nonbinary individuals, while protecting them through litigation and community resources. On a broader level, you can start by supporting pro-trans policies, supporting Black Trans Lives by decriminalizing sex work and donating to organizations such as SisTers PGH, and broadening access to healthcare and community networks. On a state level, you can find mutual aid networks in your city and ensure that your money will directly benefit their survival. This includes donating to bail funds for those who can’t afford cash bail. The presence of medical discrimination, sexual harassment/assault, binary gender litigation, and the lack of resources for trans individuals are all a major product of the binary system in the United States. Gender used to make me confused, until I was able to to name my pains, feel them, and develop discourse through my lived experiences- ultimately leading me on my path to liberation. I stand beside beautiful souls- the souls of BIPOC, QTBIPOC, Black trans women, LGBT+ people, and those who oppose the destruction of minority communities, regardless of their race, gender, sexuality, or class. I stand beside those who see our existence and love our existence, because that shouldn’t be too difficult. Being trans is beautiful, and being trans is radical self love.