Shiloh's Gender Confirmation Surgery Fund

Hello! This fundraiser is for my partner, Shiloh (they/he).

My goal for this fundraiser is to raise money for gender confirmation surgeries that will help him present comfortably as his gender identity. Masculinization surgeries often include top surgery, body sculpting, bottom surgery, facial masculinization, liposuction, and revisions of any of these procedures. These surgeries can cost upwards of $10,000 and include additional expenses such as travel and recovery time. Not to mention that he lives in the southern United States, where opportunities for trans-specific procedures and gender-confirming care are so few and far between.

Obviously, in the South, there are not a lot of spaces to grow and learn about yourself as an LGBTQ individual, but we make it work nonetheless. He's had the chance to be involved with and work alongside some wonderful people. He helped found the transgender and gender-nonconforming support group at our college (LaTech TAG), fostered connections between LGBTQ organizations across Louisiana, and collaborated with minority groups across various universities.

It has been a challenge for him to work in a career field that prides itself on innovation while maintaining archaic standards of professionalism. There remain many regulations on attire, tattoos, piercings, and especially hair color and style in the healthcare system. He spends many days being misgendered or asked inappropriate questions by patients, and it would mean the world to him to be able to present even a fraction more masculine. This is why we finally decided to reach out.

Here’s a note from Prince about his life as a gender-nonconforming person:

I realized I was experiencing gender dysphoria and disjunction in early high school, where I was provided the tools from peers for identifying the feelings I was having. It felt wonderful and settling to have a name for what was going on inside. In college, where I had the opportunity to explore my identity away from those who looked down upon the LGBTQ community, I thrived. I remember crying the first time I put on a binder. Since then I have grown into myself and love who I am, but there are days when it is tough to pass a mirror or find myself beautiful the way that I know I am inside.

Thank you for taking the time to read and consider donating. Any assistance will go a long way!