Twiggys Feminization Fund

To my friends, family, and community,

My name is Twiggy Cercy, a trans woman living in rural Kansas with my partner and pets. I was raised on a farm in rural Missouri with my parents and sister. I received a bachelors of fine arts degree at Northwest Missouri State University and a masters of fine arts degree at The Pennsylvania State University and now teach art both in higher education and in the community.

Not every trans person's experience is the same, but for me it looked like being made fun of for my femininity. It was teachers in highschool telling me not to “act too gay” and knowing gay wasn’t necessarily the correct label. I remember playing with barbies with my cousins and sister and wearing my moms heels in her closet.

I haven't always known that I was trans, but for me it is clear now. I changed my name, because I never fully felt like I identified with my gender and the name that was selected for me. I was hospitalized at the end of graduate school for mental health concerns that were rooted in dysphoria and depression. I have always questioned my appearance and my outward perception from others and have never felt comfortable with the way that I present.

I will be trying to undergo facial feminization surgery in the near future as a step closer for me to transitioning physically. Insurance covers gender affirming care, but I will need to meet my out of pocket cost for the year and cost for aftercare, absence of work and medications.

I am never one to ask for money, but in this case I am trying to get this surgery taken care of in an urgent manner due to the current political climate. If you are able to support me, please know how much this means to me. And if you aren't able to support financially, just know that I still appreciate the thought. Please share this with your friends, family and community as well.

Estimated costs:

$3200 out of pocket cost with insurance

$1000 cost of missing work for recovery

$200 legal name change

$100 changing gender markers

$300 medications and medical supplies

$200 food, transportation and aftercare

I want to thank everyone for the well wishes, thoughts and vibes. I am scared but excited to start enacting change in my life. For those of you who know me, you know this has been a long time coming. For those of you who may not know me, you don't know how much of a difference this will make in my life. Once again, I appreciate the love and support through this difficult time.