*pretend Normal Girl by SZA is playing in the background*

Hey, my name is July Lucia Rose Hernandez, and I am a trans woman living in Brooklyn, NY. I have been on a gender Journey since early 2020, but the one thing that has consistently been a point of contention within myself is my face/ facial features. I won't go through all of the areas of dysphoria of my face because I don't think that's helpful, nor mentally kind. But what I will say is that being afraid of mirrors, hating your face in the mirror, not leaving your home because of intense facial dysphoria is not a fun life to live.

Which is why I started the process of searching for FFS (Facial Feminization Surgery) as soon as I could this year. Thankfully, I found a surgeon in late October whom I feel confident with and safe with, and I currently have insurance that is willing to cover a majority of the surgery cost! These efforts have finally led to a surgery date of January 21st, 2026. Exciting!!!!

However, one thing that is not exciting is having to navigate the financial barriers and concerns that this surgery brings. From medical bills, prescription costs, transportation & grocery costs, utilities, housing costs, to having to take off 5-6 weeks off work due to the nature of recovery. As a therapist in private practice, I don't have PTO, so all of the aforementioned expenses solely fall on me to navigate and cover.

Having to exist in a body that feels more like me shouldn't require the amount of pain and sacrifice that our systems ask for, but sadly, it does. And if I am being honest, I don't know how much longer the current iteration of our government will allow surgeries like mine to exist and be available for Trans people.

You hear a lot of people say "Protect the Dolls! Protect the Dolls!", well I'm asking you to support the Dolls. Me specifically in this moment. I don't have a life partner nor a familial circle who is available/ willing to help me through this recovery. I truly and completely am trusting my community to support me in this huge life change.

My goal is to raise 4K in total as a means to cover all expenses and support myself as well as the other community members who are coming in to aid me while I am out of work in recovery.

Giving/ donating is not an obligation, and I wouldn't want it to feel that way. You are free to donate as much as you feel is appropriate. With that being said, I do ask that if I have ever made you feel seen, understood, appreciated, beautiful, or even just made you laugh, that you consider supporting me feel those things as well with your donation to my FFS.

My life is not a trans tragedy, and I don't want it to be. This procedure is going to be a life-changing gift point. blank. period. It is a years-long dream coming to fruition, and I cannot wait to share it with you all. I am happy with who I am and will continue to get happier with it. This procedure only serves to make that more possible and more accessible for me and countless others like me ❤️‍.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, thank youuuuu for any and all amounts you can give, any consideration, and any sharing with others in your community. Which I do ask, if it is possible, for you to share this support request with your community pleaseeeee.

Important disclaimer: I am not currently at risk of permanent job or housing loss. I encourage everyone in my community to partake in mutual aid, but if your disposable income is limited and you cannot donate to multiple efforts, please prioritize giving to more urgent fundraising efforts benefiting my BIPOC trans siblings.

EDIT: I added $200 to my total because my original math was wrong, and GoFundMe does take a portion of the total.