Support baileys gender affirming- top surgery fund

Hi, my name is Bailey. I'm fundraising to help cover the cost of top surgery — a life-changing step that will allow my body to match who I truly am on the inside.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve known I’m male. Growing up, I always wanted to be seen that way. I even used to stand over the toilet to pee, just trying to feel more like myself. But when puberty hit, everything changed — and not in the way I hoped. My mental health took a serious hit as my body started changing in ways that didn’t align with who I am. I isolated myself in my room, overwhelmed by depression.

Later, I learned that what I was experiencing wasn’t just depression — it was gender dysphoria. The emotional and mental toll of living in a body that doesn’t reflect your identity is hard to describe. It’s exhausting, painful, and deeply isolating.

Starting testosterone over two and a half years ago has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It’s helped me feel more at home in my body and has boosted my confidence in ways I never thought possible. But I’m still not fully there — and that’s where top surgery comes in.

Right now, I have to bind my chest every day just to feel safe and comfortable enough to go out in public. Binding helps, but it comes with serious risks. Long-term use of a chest binder can cause permanent damage to the ribs and lungs, which can affect breathing and overall health. Binders are only recommended for up to 8 hours a day — but for me, 8 hours is often the bare minimum due to the demands of my job and daily life. It’s painful and exhausting, but I don’t have another option right now.

I want to have the simple freedom of being shirtless like other men. I want to feel fully comfortable in my own skin. This surgery is not just a physical change — it’s a huge step toward mental and emotional peace. It will allow me to live more freely and authentically, without compromising my health just to exist in public spaces.

Taking the steps to become who I truly am has saved my life. Before I came out and began my transition, I was constantly uncomfortable in my body and in the world. Now, I’m finally starting to feel like me.

If you’re able to help — whether by donating or sharing — it would mean the world to me. Thank you for reading, and thank you for supporting my journey.