Queer Arab Artist's Top Surgery Fundraiser

Hi, I'm Mira and I am organizing this fundraiser on behalf of my Lebanese friend for his top surgery as GoFundMe can't process donations in Lebanon.

The following statement is written by him to all of you:

I’m a 25 year old transmasculine artist living in Lebanon. Working as a freelance artist and being responsible for most of my expenses has put me in an uncomfortable financial situation where it is difficult to save up any money. I have been working towards affording gender affirming surgery for 2 years now and managed to save up a quarter of the amount required. Transgender healthcare is basically nonexistent where I live due to legal and social discrimination; and gender affirming surgeries are not covered by medical insurance.

Lebanon’s economy has been slowly declining over the past few years. The current minimum wage is around 9,000,000 LBP which equates to $100 with the current black market exchange rate (which is the exchange rate adopted by every single business in the country). The Lebanese Lira’s constant depreciation and the huge inflation is just another obstacle that stops me from being able to save enough every month.

Making a GoFundMe is especially difficult for me because of my living situation- as most of my family members do not support my transition, I cannot ask them for financial assistance. This is also the reason I am trying to remain as anonymous as possible as I risk them finding this link., so I am reaching out to the wider community for help.

This surgery is essential to me as I have been struggling with gender dysphoria for over 12 years and have been dealing with severe depression because of it, greatly impacting my life and opportunities. I started coming out to friends about 10 years ago and now am fully out as queer and trans to all friends, peers, and co-workers- as well as most of my immediate family, despite their disapproval.

I live my life as a guy and have been binding my chest for 8 years. Binding is becoming more difficult each year as the summers get hotter and hotter, and has been causing me back and rib problems which impact my day-to-day life as well as my career. I have only been able to start my medical transition a little over a year ago, starting with hormone replacement therapy and although it has already greatly improved my mental state, I still struggle with extreme dysphoria over my chest.

Surgery is the next step for me and although my mental health has improved a little since starting HRT, waiting 2 or more years to save up for the operation on my own is becoming more difficult. Gender affirming surgery is also required by law for those who want to legally change their name and gender on their identification papers, so it is also a matter of safety for me to take this next step in my transition, especially because of the lack of legal protection the LGBT community faces in my country.

Not many transgender people get to go through hormone replacement therapy in a third world country like Lebanon, let alone receive gender affirming surgery. I would greatly appreciate the support and every donation counts no matter how small. If you can't donate yourself, please share this fundraiser to your own communities or anyone who can help!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, share, and (hopefully) donate!