Dante's Top Chop!!!
Donation protected
My best friend Dante is one of the most generous, hilarious, and hard working people I know. Dante is always unapologetically himself, even when it may not be the most popular thing in the world (a lot of really interesting conversations come to mind). He loves musicals, cries thinking about the movie Beaches, is very dedicated to his flannel collection and has never seen a bulldog he didn't immediately love. Dante likes to pretend he's really grumpy and prickly when he actually has one of the softest hearts I know (he's a big teddy bear). As we all know Dante is usually the one putting on this type of fundraiser for others. He is not one to ask for help so I'm asking for him!
Dante is fiercely loyal. He will fight anyone for you at any given time for any reason. He will support all your crazy dreams as if they were his own. He will watch your kids, your dogs, your cats (even though he is allergic) or your car at the drop of a hat, if you need him to, even if he's just worked three crazy long shifts. Dante picks up the phone when you call to vent no matter how little he's slept or how many problems he himself has going on. Dante is also so incredibly brave. He's battled more in his young life than I could ever imagine and he's done it with more grace, humor, humility, and wisdom than I have. Dante is an amazing uncle, son, brother and friend to so many chosen family and queer youth. When he came out as trans years ago, I can only imagine how scary that must have been for him. I could only imagine because Dante came out with such grace and unwavering confidence, with no sign of the anxiety that was inside or the grueling journey it took for him to get there.
Dante has always been an advocate for LGBTQIA+ community. He started his journey in New York, working for Community Health Project aka Callen-Lorde Community Health Center. When he moved to Tucson about 20 years ago he knew he was going to transition. As this happened he also transitioned into an advocate for the Tucson LGBTQIA+ community. He always had a dream of starting a community space for our LGBTQIA+ family. A safe haven of sorts where we could all go and be accepted and get the help we need.
Well he did it, he is the Creator and Executive Director of Fluxx Productions. A non-profit organization aimed at that and much more. Although physical spaces have come and gone for Fluxx, the mission continues. Raising funds for and working to amplify LGBTQIA+ artists and activists in Tucson, Arizona.
Dante is also the Producer of the oldest gender-bending performance troupe in the Southwest United States, Boys R Us. Here he goes by the stage name Big Papa and Big Mama. He has always been just that: Papa Bear! Anything any of us have ever needed (or anyone else for that matter) he has been there to help, including being the sole caretaker for his Mother and Grandmother. This is not an easy job, but he does it without question. Even through this pandemic, Dante made food for people in the community that needed it even though he himself was completely out of work! He still gave what he could because that's just what he does.
Now, it's our turn to support Dante. After years of testosterone and chest binding coupled with chronic and debilitating pain from cystic fibroids, he is looking to get Bilateral Mastectomy (top surgery) and a Hysterectomy as the next step in his transition and overall health. As many of you know, this is an incredibly expensive, painful, and time-consuming procedure. Dante has been working his feet off for years to make ends meet and trying to afford this next step. In addition to the top surgery hospital costs (~$8K) and hysterectomy hospital costs (~$12.5), Dante will need to take upwards of 6 weeks off of work for top surgery (~$2K) and 6 weeks off after the hysterectomy (~$2K) and have many follow up visits and medications to keep him healthy and healing properly.
Top surgery is scheduled for October 5th. Money from this campaign will go directly to Dante’s medical expenses and cost of living.
We will be holding a live Zoom Fun-raiser on Oct. 3rd with live and video performances from all over the world. Link will be added here and on www.fluxxproductions.org
Along with this event Dante is cooking!! So if you are in the Tucson Metro area click below to order Dinner before the event!
https://fluxxproductions.org/big-papas-cuban-feast
Any amount, whether financial or time, you can contribute will be greatly appreciated!
Please consider sharing as we help Dante continue to live his life as his best self.
Dante is fiercely loyal. He will fight anyone for you at any given time for any reason. He will support all your crazy dreams as if they were his own. He will watch your kids, your dogs, your cats (even though he is allergic) or your car at the drop of a hat, if you need him to, even if he's just worked three crazy long shifts. Dante picks up the phone when you call to vent no matter how little he's slept or how many problems he himself has going on. Dante is also so incredibly brave. He's battled more in his young life than I could ever imagine and he's done it with more grace, humor, humility, and wisdom than I have. Dante is an amazing uncle, son, brother and friend to so many chosen family and queer youth. When he came out as trans years ago, I can only imagine how scary that must have been for him. I could only imagine because Dante came out with such grace and unwavering confidence, with no sign of the anxiety that was inside or the grueling journey it took for him to get there.
Dante has always been an advocate for LGBTQIA+ community. He started his journey in New York, working for Community Health Project aka Callen-Lorde Community Health Center. When he moved to Tucson about 20 years ago he knew he was going to transition. As this happened he also transitioned into an advocate for the Tucson LGBTQIA+ community. He always had a dream of starting a community space for our LGBTQIA+ family. A safe haven of sorts where we could all go and be accepted and get the help we need.
Well he did it, he is the Creator and Executive Director of Fluxx Productions. A non-profit organization aimed at that and much more. Although physical spaces have come and gone for Fluxx, the mission continues. Raising funds for and working to amplify LGBTQIA+ artists and activists in Tucson, Arizona.
Dante is also the Producer of the oldest gender-bending performance troupe in the Southwest United States, Boys R Us. Here he goes by the stage name Big Papa and Big Mama. He has always been just that: Papa Bear! Anything any of us have ever needed (or anyone else for that matter) he has been there to help, including being the sole caretaker for his Mother and Grandmother. This is not an easy job, but he does it without question. Even through this pandemic, Dante made food for people in the community that needed it even though he himself was completely out of work! He still gave what he could because that's just what he does.
Now, it's our turn to support Dante. After years of testosterone and chest binding coupled with chronic and debilitating pain from cystic fibroids, he is looking to get Bilateral Mastectomy (top surgery) and a Hysterectomy as the next step in his transition and overall health. As many of you know, this is an incredibly expensive, painful, and time-consuming procedure. Dante has been working his feet off for years to make ends meet and trying to afford this next step. In addition to the top surgery hospital costs (~$8K) and hysterectomy hospital costs (~$12.5), Dante will need to take upwards of 6 weeks off of work for top surgery (~$2K) and 6 weeks off after the hysterectomy (~$2K) and have many follow up visits and medications to keep him healthy and healing properly.
Top surgery is scheduled for October 5th. Money from this campaign will go directly to Dante’s medical expenses and cost of living.
We will be holding a live Zoom Fun-raiser on Oct. 3rd with live and video performances from all over the world. Link will be added here and on www.fluxxproductions.org
Along with this event Dante is cooking!! So if you are in the Tucson Metro area click below to order Dinner before the event!
https://fluxxproductions.org/big-papas-cuban-feast
Any amount, whether financial or time, you can contribute will be greatly appreciated!
Please consider sharing as we help Dante continue to live his life as his best self.
Organizer
Honey Ignacio Reyes
Organizer
Tucson, AZ