Help Rawan get top surgery!!

Hi hello!

For weeks now, I have been trying to write you all this letter to ask for your support in getting top surgery, but every time I tried, words escaped me, fear crept in, and I lost my nerve. I realize now how much pressure I put on myself to make sure this letter felt as authentic to me and as vulnerable as possible. And even though that pressure made this 10x harder on me, I've quickly forgiven myself for it because I know that pressure represents just how much this means to me. I'm hoping this reaches as many people as possible so that I have my best chance at fundraising enough to make this dream a reality. This also means sharing so much of myself with whoever this reaches, and maaaaan, is that scary!! But all the best things in life are. Once I finally got started writing, though, I couldn't stop. Four versions later, I've finally decided that the best route to take is to just start off by telling you all a little about myself and my journey. So, here we go:

My name is Rawan Fayad, and my pronouns are They/Them. I am a fiercely proud 29 year old Egyptian, Muslim, Queer, Non-Binary human. Almost five years ago, I stepped into my identity as a non-binary human. Within those five years, I've survived homelessness, the loss of nearly my entire family, multiple hospitalizations that saved my life, and what sometimes felt like any and all other trials life could throw at me. And even though these five years have certainly been the hardest years of my life, I wouldn't have it any other way. These hardships gave me the opportunity to reassess what truly matters to me, and the losses I had to endure shined a light on parts of me that were forever living under a shadow, hidden and desperately needing to be acknowledged and let free. I now get to live a life that's rooted in authenticity and have access to tools that help me battle the shame our society puts on us all. Living authentically continues to save my life every day and I am eternally grateful for the gift that is. I am ready to live in a body that feels as authentic to me as the life I have built for myself. I am ready for top surgery!!

I am SO excited, nervous, happy, and proud to start fundraising for my surgery. It's a very expensive surgery and insurance only takes me so far so I've decided to turn to all of you! The funds I am raising will go to the cost of surgery, a month's worth of rent and utilities for the recovery process, and a few new articles of clothing that will properly fit me after my wounds have healed and I am ready to reenter this world with my back straight and my head held high! Anything you can spare would make a huge difference to me and I only ask you to donate if you can comfortably do so. The last thing I want is to put someone out in this process and I know times are hard for a lot of us. And, finally, the last thing I am asking of anyone who comes across this is to share it with your community!! Boost this up wherever you can in your community and social media accounts!

From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you for coming to this page. Thank you for reading my letter all the way through. Thank you for hearing my story. None of this is possible without community, and I couldn't be more appreciative of the community I've built where I live and the community I am so lucky to be a part of online. I find so much safety, joy, and visibility in you all. A big thank you to those of you who remind me every day that this is an exciting chapter in my journey and that it deserves to be celebrated. And a final thank you to those of you who donate and/or share this with your extended communities!!

With all my love,

Rawan