Harlem’s transition Fund #GenderEqualty
It is very difficult to ask for help, when you know that the world is full of criticism & misunderstanding pertaining to being trans.. but we are setting aside fears, & doing this for Harlem’s happiness. As many of you know, he recently announced that he was going forward with his journey to transition as a transgender man. He has put his life on hold for over a decade out of fear for his safety, and his families acceptance. He is currently in debt with the treatments he started with meds. And it is his dream to be able to ease his gender dysphoria. “Passing” in my particular area in Indiana is moreso at times what feels like a safety concern, rather than just cosmetic.
All funds raised for him will go directly towards his transition. He truly did not want to have to do this, because he is aware of the negativity surrounding fundraising & because many have misperceptions. He has been so unhappy with himself lately because of not having the funds to continue his process. He has ran out of the meds already and has fallen into depression. This is our worse fear. We want to see his dream happen and we want him to be healthy and happy.
As his mother I just want my son to be happy to smile and laugh and to feel comfortable in his skin.
Also, I realize that despite struggles, I have privilege. If you’ve read this far thank you so much, if you don’t mind reading his story below and sharing. And thank you for your support. He truly appreciates everyone’s support and his family does as well.
Hi everyone, I am fundraising for my son Harlem. Who was born as a female which we had named Harmony. He uses pronouns he, his, and him. I am his mother I do not want to waste a lot of time because time is unknown. You see recently I found out I am sick. But this is not about me this is about what I want to do for my son before my time is up. Needless to say, he has identified himself as transgender. Currently, he has expressed so much to me from his heart in how hard it is to go through the process that it takes for his transition. He works two jobs and has been for three years and has his place and has held the fort down with no help. So first let me share with you what it takes for this transition.
A person has the right to insist that others call them by their preferred name and pronouns, regardless of their legal name or the sex on their birth certificate. But transgender people often find that changing their identity documents can make life easier. Steps for this kind of transition might include a legal name change, changing the sex designation on their birth certificate, Social Security card, driver’s license, and passport. The process varies by state; many agencies require a person to show proof of gender reassignment surgery, but this practice is changing. Which you can find more information on transgender legal rights, on the Lambda Legal website.
And to better educate those who don’t understand exactly what it means to be transgender I’d also like to explain a little more in detail that as well.
Transgender is a term that includes the many ways that people’s gender identities can be different from the sex they were assigned at birth. There are a lot of different terms transgender people use to describe themselves. For example, sometimes the word transgender is shortened to just trans, trans*, or trans male/trans female. It’s always best to use the language and labels that the person prefers.
Transgender people express their gender identities in many different ways. Some people use their dress, behavior, and mannerisms to live as the gender that feels right for them. Some people take hormones and may have surgery to change their body so it matches their gender identity. Some transgender people reject the traditional understanding of gender as divided between just “male” and “female,” so they identify just as transgender, or genderqueer, genderfluid, or something else.
Transgender people are diverse in their gender identities (the way you feel on the inside), gender expressions (the way you dress and act), and sexual orientation (the people you’re attracted to).
When people’s assigned sex and gender identity are the same, they're called cisgender.
More terms used
Gender dysphoria is a term that psychologists and doctors use to describe the distress, unhappiness, and anxiety that transgender people may feel about the mismatch between their bodies and their gender identity. A person may be formally diagnosed with gender dysphoria to receive medical treatment to help them transition.
Psychologists used to call this “gender identity disorder.” However, the mismatch between a person’s body and gender identity isn’t in itself a mental illness (but it can cause emotional distress), so the term was changed to reflect that.
So he is going to be 21 in July this year 2021 and has expressed numerous times with me in tears of how hard it is to socialize with the world in his body. He called me one night and told me he wanted me to have the pleasure of renaming him since I am his mama. So at birth named Harmony Lynn-and now I gave him Harlem Lee. Not anything extreme or much different from his birth name and fits him perfectly and he loves it. So my goal is to get the funds for him to go through the long process of therapy, and transitioning that in therapy alone before surgery could take 12 plus months. So I hope his story can relate or touch your hearts enough to help us with positive vibes and prayers and shares to get enough donations to reach his needs for the process and procedures needed for transition. Thank you so much for reading our story and God Bless you. The pictures below are several as he grew up and you can see as he grew and was able to dress himself the girly that mama was trying to do went right out the door lol. Please no negative comments if you don’t agree or don’t want to donate move on. We are not forcing anyone and only asking for supporters to be positive and supportive. Again if you read this far thank you so much our family truly appreciates it. 
