Hello,

I’m Nat, a trans woman from the North East.

Some people may know me from the local grassroots queer organising that I have been involved in, through my own work and in groups like Big Gay Fund and Trans Mutual Aid Newcastle.

I’ve spent the last couple of years working in trans community and mutual aid spaces, often trying to help others achieve similar goals with fundraising.

I find this work fulfilling, and gratifying and it has introduced me to many wonderful people, but it has been difficult trying to manage my own dysphoria while doing this.

It's for this reason that I’m making the difficult decision to fundraise for myself.

All trans people deserve access to healthcare; I don't believe that help should be conditional or transactional. With that said, it is my hope that accessing gender affirming surgery will amongst other things make it easier for me to do more to support to my community.

The persistent gender dysphoria that I have felt since my mid-teens has affected all the parts of my life.

The intense discomfort and disconnection that I feel just existing in my body can feel all-consuming, and exhausting. This makes it very difficult for me to function day-to-day, and it negatively affects my relationships and my happiness.

HRT has been a great help, and it has given me a better relationship to my body than I have had in 15-20 years, but there are masculine aspects of my body that can only be altered by surgery.

I’m having to ask for help as NHS gender clinic waitlists are extremely long. Patients at the top of the waitlist for a first appointment at our region's clinic have been waiting over 7 years. The estimated wait for those joining the list now is much longer. This wait is unthinkable, and unbearable to me.

Private healthcare is unfortunately very expensive, but it is my only option. My GFM goal, plus the money that I've been able to save could pay for surgery that changes my life. With my body more closely aligned with how I feel inside, I could live my life the way that I want. Without having to think about my gender or appearance all the time. I could give more of myself to my friends, family and community.

I would hugely appreciate any contribution that anybody is able to give through GoFundMe to help me reach my goal.

If you’re not able to donate right now, or if you are a trans person saving for your own surgery, please consider sharing this fundraiser instead.

Thank you,

Nat