Support June's Facial Feminization Recovery

After almost nine years of transition and what’s felt like a lifetime of facial dysphoria, I will finally be having facial feminization surgery on July 18th of this year…

The waves of gratitude and hope I’ve been feeling in the weeks since confirming my surgery date are almost indescribable, and it’s been a challenge keeping joyful tears from flowing on public transit and in line at Trader Joe’s.

This procedure will mark a significant and final chapter in my transition, allowing me to move into the next stage of my life and career by addressing an issue that has paralyzed me time and time again in social settings, love, and professional development. I wish I could say otherwise, but since I was 11 years old, my face has been a constant source of insecurity, pain, shame and confusion. The photos I share of me are like many people, often highly curated, posed, stylized and edited to put my best face forward, quite literally. The truth is that the incongruence of my facial structure with the way my brain and body developed has caused me to feel irrationally grotesque and worthless for a long time. And while some elements of transition have really helped, altering my face through hormones and fat transfer, the underlying structural effects of male puberty are still present. I kept this pain mostly to myself for fear of judgement or embarrassment. It was a huge relief to ultimately share it with others l, and to finally be doing something to address it still doesn't feel quite real..

In 3 weeks, the hands of one of the world’s most skilled surgeons will deliver me for the second time, artfully modifying my features to alleviate the years-long effects of testosterone on my face and neck; something I’ve only dreamed about for as long as I can remember..

As I make final preparations for a costly and lengthy recovery period in New York City, I remembered the power and love of community, and that I never have to do anything alone. I’ve reached out in the past and received such positive responses and heartwarming support that I felt compelled to share this part of my journey too ..

I'm so grateful for the amazing tribe of people in my life.

I am fully footing the bill for recovery and my mom's expenses, and so far, securing :

-comfortable lodging for 2 people near the hospital for the week following

-aftercare products and medication

-transportation to and from surgery and follow-up appointments,

-specific and safe travel arrangements for my mother given today’s political climate..

-financial cushion for post-surgical hiatus from work

Has been a challenge, especially since we decided to schedule surgery much sooner than anticipated considering the attacks on transgender people and their healthcare as well as the rising threat of violence and unrest across our country. I didn’t want to take any chances..

So as I move quickly to tie up loose ends before the big day comes, I’d be honored to have your help leading up to and in the weeks following my FFS.

Thank you so much for reading, sharing, donating.

Sincerely and gratefully yours,

-June