Princess Bouton's Transition Fund

To both my intimate and extended community: If you have found yourself on this crowdfund, my hope is that you either know or recognize me, or that someone else mutual to us has shared this with you. I’m a Black transfeminine artist and I am in the early stages of my physical gender-affirming transition.

I’ve been out as transfeminine for 5 years and physically transitioning for 1 year. I have unpacked and explored my anxieties and needs when it comes to my gender expression. I have also learned from the other trans women in my life how gaining access to gender-affirming care/surgeries can transform someone’s life experience and improve the way they can communicate with and move through the world. At this point in my life, I know that I need that. I need that in public, I need it at work, and I need it when I look in the mirror. I believe that gaining access to these resources will allow me to mature in my self-expression and relax in my skin more - both socially and personally. I will feel more comfortable and empowered to exist more freely. I have changed insurance multiple times in my efforts to access my gender-affirming care needs, and I now believe that raising these funds on my own is my best bet to move forward.

I am asking you to help me raise $30k to cover facial feminization surgery, top surgery, and laser hair removal for my face, as well as travel to do so. It’s a big and vulnerable ask, so I have invited long-time friends of mine to help express the importance of this fundraiser. The following messages are from some of my loved ones:

— Princess

A talented and intentional creator, Princess meticulously and intentionally seeks out people, topics and subject matter that challenge the dominant hegemony and crowbar spaces for marginalized communities and artists. Her work both as a creator and as a community organizer has proven to be vital to the cultural ecosystem of the PNW, and we can say without hesitation that any support for her will inevitably support her community too. We have watched her struggle through the white supremacy of Oregon and want nothing more than to see her fully step into her personhood as a Black Trans Femme by supporting her access to the gender-affirming resources she needs. To do that, we need to raise this money and run her this coin!

— Roux

I’m so ecstatic to see my bestie Princess Bouton as she continues her journey of transitioning. To support her, we’re launching this fundraiser so that she can have access to the gender affirming resources she needs. I know that making these moves will be life-changing for her and if I could, I would foot all those bills! Since I can’t, we’ve gathered to support her and we are so committed to giving back and lifting her up as a person and as the fabulous Black Trans Femme she is! She contributes so much light and wonder and sweet chaos to this world that we know raising this money will allow her to continue to thrive and flourish and create her art.

— Theresia

Here, in cinematic realness, is a nigga grasping the treacherous air around her, exciting it with her joy, and creating a new ferment to be perceived in, she warps the glass, jukes the eye, dazzles her soul at you. The majesty and excellence that she carries for herself and her community, not only recommend but require that she be supported, by those within and outside of her community.

— Ahsante