RR's Top Surgery Fund

Hi there, this photo is of me receiving my very first pair of boys underwear for my 9th birthday. I'm asking for your support to help me realise this pure joy permanently.

To be honest, writing this feels excruciatingly vulnerable. I am not the best (terrible) at asking for help, and there are so many strong opinions about the right to access to gender affirming care in the public discourse at the moment that feel hard to shut out. I am also very conscious that we are in the midst of a late-stage capitalism cost of living crisis and many of us are struggling financially, please only contribute what you can afford and if that’s $0, that is so fine.

I have reached a point where I feel so uncomfortable and incongruous with my chest that it is impacting my daily life. I am large-chested, and face a choice between hard-core binders that cause pain or lighter ones that leave me with anxiety about being seen in public. I have realised I am leaving my house less and less and finding excuses to not do activities, like swimming, that I love and used to bring me enjoyment. This is not a decision I am making lightly, I have been actively thinking about, dreaming about, top surgery for over 20 years. I’ve hesitated for far too long, trying to convince myself I could learn to not care about my physical self, or how the community around me perceives me to be, but I have spent a lifetime trying to disassociate myself from how I feel in my body, I am exhausted by it and need to feel whole. Once I made the decision I immediately felt excited, elated even, and impatient for it to happen. I realised with great clarity the only thing I am going to grieve is years I could have lived without this great weight off my chest- literally.

Chest reconstruction for gender-affirmation is not covered by medicare in Australia, however I have taken out private health insurance to cover my hospital fees and estimate the remaining out-of-pocket costs will be approximately $8,000 + cost of 12 months health insurance/until waiting period lapses. I am privileged to have the ability to work full time and thus I am only asking for a contribution towards my costs.

My friend Matilda is collecting donations on my behalf and will pass them on. Thank you so very much for supporting me and our community.

It is hard to describe about what kind of person you are so here are some words from my friend C:

I finally had the pleasure of mine and Rocco’s paths crossing irl when a queerly beloved arranged low-sensory eats prior to a local Shandy. I’d describe Rocco as a quietly staunch, frog-adoring, queer-trans presence; it’s hard to imagine the Meanjin queer community without him. He’s a dreamboat you want around for the revolution, you know? It’s an honour

to be invited in to Rocco’s world in general and in particular,

contributing to making his top surgery a joyous reality. I’m often

impressed by how caring he is, so the chance to return care personally and collectively in this way feels like a form of abundance that gives the middle finger to genocidal capitalism. Even if you don’t know Rocco personally or intimately I’m confident he has somehow shaped the Meanjin/so-called Australian queer community in ways that you already

benefit from. Trans joy is infectious this way. Chip in (if you can) to feel the love. Finally had the pleasure of mine and Rocco’s paths crossing irl when a queerly beloved arranged low-sensory eats prior to a local Shandy. I’d describe Rocco as a quietly staunch, frog-adoring, queer-trans presence; it’s hard to imagine the Meanjin queer community without him. He’s a dreamboat you want around for the revolution, you know? It’s an honour

to be invited in to Rocco’s world in general and in particular,

contributing to making his top surgery a joyous reality. I’m often

impressed by how caring he is, so the chance to return care personally and collectively in this way feels like a form of abundance that gives the middle finger to genocidal capitalism. Even if you don’t know Rocco personally or intimately I’m confident he has somehow shaped the Meanjin/so-called Australian queer community in ways that you already benefit from. Trans joy is infectious this way. Chip in (if you can) to

feel the love.