Free Jack's Nipples

Hi, my name's Jack and, if you're on this page, you probably know me, but in case you don't: I'm a twenty-five year-old speaker, video creator, and wizard activist. I work full-time as the Communications Director for the Harry Potter Alliance , a nonprofit that uses the power of story to mobilize fans towards social action. In my spare time, I make videos  about nerdy things, social justice, and waffles. I also work on other video projects with friends, write the occasional zine, and am constantly trying to learn new things. I'm also transgender.

I started this fundraiser to help cover the cost of transgender related healthcare, specifically the top surgery I will be getting in January. My doctors, psychiatrist, and therapist have all determined that I require this procedure to ease my gender dysphoria and dysphoria-related anxiety and depression. You can read more about what top surgery is here .

I will be getting top surgery on January 6th, 2016. The surgeon has quoted the procedure at $7210, which includes facility ($900), post-operative care ($190), and anesthesia fees ($520). I am also budgeting in airfare to bring my mom out to help me recover ($300), car rental fees to get to and from the surgeon ($130), copays for prescriptions, and any incidentals. 

I have been saving as much as I can for the past year. Being a fully independent young adult in New York City and working for a nonprofit means that saving is tough. However, I really don't want to just ask for money (I hesitated for a long time before even making this page and talked it over with many friends before biting the bullet). So I'm doing as much as I can to earn money in unique ways - everything from taking consulting jobs on top of my day job and offering VHS to digital/DVD transfer services  to selling my old clothes and my own merchandise .

If you would like to help my effort by employing my services, buying merchandise, or supporting my art on Patreon (coming soon), I would be incredibly grateful. However, if you just want to show your support out of pure good will, you can donate here. 

I can't just let you donate without anything as thanks, however, so anyone who donates five dollars or more will receive a digital copy of my Free My Nipples zine.  If you donate more than $50, I'll send you a hard copy as well as a Will It Waffle?  button. I know it's not much, but I hope it gives you a small token of my appreciation. 

--- A first draft of the zine cover

I've set my goal on this page at $3000 for now. After the fees are taken away, that's just $2700. I've currently saved almost as much on my own and hope I'll be able to bridge the gap before the bulk of my payment is due in mid-December.

Please do not feel any pressure whatsoever to donate to this page or to support me financially in any way. You can show your support by sharing this page, sharing my other work, and by generally being a good ally. One way you can help me and so many other transgender people is by leaving a comment  on the U.S. Health & Human Safety's website in support of their proposed Section 1557, which would ban transgender exclusions in ACA healthcare plans. It would be a huge  first step towards transgender people getting the kind of coverage and treatment they need and, hopefully, the first step towards the end of fundraisers like these. 

Thank you for any way you're able to help out :]