My name is Niizh, and I am a two-spirit artist and youth worker in the Native community of Minneapolis. I've decided to pursue a mastectomy, a gender-affirming surgery that would greatly improve my quality of life—both mentally and physically—as I've developed shoulder and back pain from my chest.

So far, it looks like I could receive surgery as soon as late 2026, and I'll still be attending university at that time. With the increased cost of living and rent, I would be unlikely able to save up for the funding required to pay my rent and living expenses while I recover from this surgery for two months.