My name is Rudolph Wilson and I’m a transgender man. I’ve been out for 6 years and on testosterone for two. I’m 20 years old, I live in the small town of Westville FL, and work in Alabama. I’ve been saving for top surgery for over two years, and this GoFundMe is something I hoped I wouldn’t have to do. Unfortunately with the recent government changes it has become much more urgent for me to get this surgery now more than ever. I am really hoping to get it by mid 2025 if at all possible. There are several very important reasons why I’m asking for help now.

First, I was born in Alabama therefore I have an Alabama birth certificate. In that state, you can only get your gender mark changed if you have had a major gender affirming surgery. I am worried in the next coming year that gender mark changes will be fully banned in Alabama- as it is now in Florida- and I will never be able to have my gender mark changed. This is incredibly important to me because it solidifies my identity fully both to myself and legally to others. Upon getting this surgery, I will not have to face the embarrassment of having to explain my identity at every legal situation I am in, I.e. jobs, medical situations, or anything that requires a form of legal identification. I will be free to be myself both socially and legally.

This is not the only major reason for this surgery; As a transgender person, dysphoria is a major part of my every day life and a major source of anxiety and depression. I cannot do many things that seem trivial to others. I cannot comfortably swim publicly without both extreme discomfort and dysphoria. I worry about people’s perception of me and what actions could come against me if I am very visibly trans. I cannot just choose clothes that I think look nice- it is a juggling game of what looks nice AND what I can wear that hides my chest. I am limited in my personal expression and discard things that I would like otherwise. I am constantly stressed about how visibly my chest is and what I can do to minimize it. I cannot just go out and enjoy myself without it constantly lingering in my mind: it causes me extreme stress.

Aside from the very taxing mental struggles it causes, I also bind daily. I cannot reasonably leave the house without binding my chest which causes very bad rib and back pain. I have a history of back and hip problems as is and I slip disks in my back regularly. Before transitioning, I wore a DD bra size (for perspective). I have worn a binder for over 4 years and my posture has always been very negatively effected by my chest- the ‘trans slouch’ is very real and very painful. What I have to do to hide that part of myself makes me feel weak and less confident to face the world ahead of me.

I don’t feel like I can start my life until I get this surgery- I have been at a stunt of development in my life since transitioning. I am beyond ready to move forward and live my young adulthood, and the rest of my life, comfortably in my skin and in my identity.

To those that took the time to read my story, thank you so much. Anything you do to help my situation, wether donating or just sharing my story, helps tremendously and means more than you could ever know to me. Thank you.