Top surgery
Donation protected
Absolutely incredible, I can barely believe I have such a loving community. The target for my surgery was reached and surpassed in just 10 days.
I am still trying to process this but from the bottom of my heart, thank you all so much.
My surgery is booked in for February. <3
So, my name is Bailey. I am a trans man living in Melbourne, and I have been struggling to write this for quite a while...
Basically, I am raising money to assist in my top surgery (a common term for breast removal; a double mastectomy).
The whole trans thing:
I have been uncomfortable with my chest, voice and hips as soon as I hit puberty. I developed gender dysphoria and severe mental illness issues. My mental health has improved phenomenally since changing lifestyles, coming out, cutting out negative people and pursuing my passions :).
Chest binders are tight support clothing that aim to flatten someone's chest. I have been wearing a chest binder since I was 14, buying it online in secret and trying to hide it from my family, often telling myself it "doesn't mean anything, I just prefer to be smaller." I wish I felt I could talk to someone then.
Over the years, I have developed very persistent back issues, and have been visiting a chiropractor consistently this year. I was advised by my GP to stop wearing it but that is not an option in my mind.
The feeling I get from looking at my chest is disgusting and rotten. I would turn down sleepovers, holidays, beach visits, and make every excuse in PE to avoid anyone looking too closely at my figure. There are hardly any pictures of me from when I was younger, I really wish I could have taken more.
I began seeking medical transition in March 2018. It took 2 full years, filled with many medical professionals, to begin hormone treatment. I received little support from my immediate family. I made my way to, and paid for, almost every doctor and treatment I have ever had.
I have faced transphobia, much that I am unwilling to share. It doesn't hurt you to just try a little bit harder to call people out, do a 10 second google search, ask people about their gender identity. By just doing the most basic, humane acts of kindness (or honestly, common sense) you can turn someones day, year, or whole life around.
My financial situation:
I have always been a good worker, going through fast food, retail, child care, etc.
The money I accumulated through my teen years was spent on doctors, consultations, a gender psychiatrist, the gruelling 3 hour trip to my endocrinologist every 2 months, and shockingly expensive testosterone injections. So far with the surgery, I have paid $600 for 20 minute consultations and still need another for $300. (None of this included in the gofundme)
2020 has been quite a year. I have been trying to save money, however both my places of work (as a retail worker and an employed makeup artist) closed in March due to Covid 19.
This year I have been studying and living independently for the first time, relying on my Centrelink payments.
I managed to save about $3000 through the year, however the additional Covid payments that were cut recently, and sudden need for unforeseen payments, had me spending a lot of those savings with significantly less income.
My aim is to be employed as an Education Support Worker before the year ends, as I have just finished this year of studying and now have my qualification.
I have been trying for the last 3 years to save for this "elective" surgery and am not typically one to ask for money.
The surgery including estimated anaesthetist's fee and (mostly covered) hospital fee is roughly $6400. This is money I am unable to make for a long time.
--------------------------
I only resort to you out of the mounting difficulty I experience (especially entering a professional workforce) and am setting aside my typical attitude towards asking for money: don't, or pay it back quick. Even if you are not wanting/able to help me, I hope you are willing to learn more about the Transgender community, there is so much information about injustices and so much work that needs to be done. Every person can make a huge difference in this side of the LGBTQ+ community.
With pride,
Bailey S.
Free chest binder program
FTM Essentials
Human Rights report on Trans Health
Article on acceptance within Australia
Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander trans community article
Transgender Survival Guide
Parents of gender diverse children
I am still trying to process this but from the bottom of my heart, thank you all so much.
My surgery is booked in for February. <3
So, my name is Bailey. I am a trans man living in Melbourne, and I have been struggling to write this for quite a while...
Basically, I am raising money to assist in my top surgery (a common term for breast removal; a double mastectomy).
The whole trans thing:
I have been uncomfortable with my chest, voice and hips as soon as I hit puberty. I developed gender dysphoria and severe mental illness issues. My mental health has improved phenomenally since changing lifestyles, coming out, cutting out negative people and pursuing my passions :).
Chest binders are tight support clothing that aim to flatten someone's chest. I have been wearing a chest binder since I was 14, buying it online in secret and trying to hide it from my family, often telling myself it "doesn't mean anything, I just prefer to be smaller." I wish I felt I could talk to someone then.
Over the years, I have developed very persistent back issues, and have been visiting a chiropractor consistently this year. I was advised by my GP to stop wearing it but that is not an option in my mind.
The feeling I get from looking at my chest is disgusting and rotten. I would turn down sleepovers, holidays, beach visits, and make every excuse in PE to avoid anyone looking too closely at my figure. There are hardly any pictures of me from when I was younger, I really wish I could have taken more.
I began seeking medical transition in March 2018. It took 2 full years, filled with many medical professionals, to begin hormone treatment. I received little support from my immediate family. I made my way to, and paid for, almost every doctor and treatment I have ever had.
I have faced transphobia, much that I am unwilling to share. It doesn't hurt you to just try a little bit harder to call people out, do a 10 second google search, ask people about their gender identity. By just doing the most basic, humane acts of kindness (or honestly, common sense) you can turn someones day, year, or whole life around.
My financial situation:
I have always been a good worker, going through fast food, retail, child care, etc.
The money I accumulated through my teen years was spent on doctors, consultations, a gender psychiatrist, the gruelling 3 hour trip to my endocrinologist every 2 months, and shockingly expensive testosterone injections. So far with the surgery, I have paid $600 for 20 minute consultations and still need another for $300. (None of this included in the gofundme)
2020 has been quite a year. I have been trying to save money, however both my places of work (as a retail worker and an employed makeup artist) closed in March due to Covid 19.
This year I have been studying and living independently for the first time, relying on my Centrelink payments.
I managed to save about $3000 through the year, however the additional Covid payments that were cut recently, and sudden need for unforeseen payments, had me spending a lot of those savings with significantly less income.
My aim is to be employed as an Education Support Worker before the year ends, as I have just finished this year of studying and now have my qualification.
I have been trying for the last 3 years to save for this "elective" surgery and am not typically one to ask for money.
The surgery including estimated anaesthetist's fee and (mostly covered) hospital fee is roughly $6400. This is money I am unable to make for a long time.
--------------------------
I only resort to you out of the mounting difficulty I experience (especially entering a professional workforce) and am setting aside my typical attitude towards asking for money: don't, or pay it back quick. Even if you are not wanting/able to help me, I hope you are willing to learn more about the Transgender community, there is so much information about injustices and so much work that needs to be done. Every person can make a huge difference in this side of the LGBTQ+ community.
With pride,
Bailey S.
Free chest binder program
FTM Essentials
Human Rights report on Trans Health
Article on acceptance within Australia
Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander trans community article
Transgender Survival Guide
Parents of gender diverse children
Co-organizers (2)
Bailey Spencer
Organizer
Karingal, VIC
Brina Fischer
Co-organizer