Support Hawke's Medical Transition

Hi everyone! :)

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Hawke and I'm a 26 y.o. trans, queer woman living in Chicago. In the city, I am a poet, artist, model, and nightlife hostess in addition to being a full-time graduate student while working full-time. It's a lot. This fundraiser will be raising money to go towards the cost of gender confirmation surgery, in addition to other funds for future procedures related to my transition.

I started my medical transition with hormones in September of 2022, but I've been socially trans for years before that. Being raised in a severely religious and conservative family, I could not verbalize what was wrong with my body for so much of my life. Instead of support, I was put through conversion therapy and subjected to judgment and shame by those who taught me to love unconditionally. Without a language to even understand the trans experience, queerness, and dysphoria, I began a journey towards such a deep exploration of myself and who I am, through the many different versions of Hawke over the years. Thankfully I'm now no-contact with my immediate family, and although this was necessary for my growth and mental health, this means I do not have, and have never had, any familial support through my transition aside from two wonderful aunts (To my Aunt Faith and Aunt Jan: thank you. You have no idea how much your love has changed my life for the better.)

So, after spending the last few years unpacking trauma, having intentional conversations with my therapist and doctor, and truly ensuring that this was the right decision, I had a consultation for bottom surgery last April!

I am so beyond excited to announce that I have officially scheduled my surgery for May of 2025 with a fantastic, supportive medical team. I'm fortunate to have a job with health insurance, but with living paycheck to paycheck on my own, having a high deductible, and an out-of-state insurance, I will need some community help as I prepare for my surgery. Aside from paying a big chunk of the costs of the coinsurance for the surgery, these funds will go towards medically necessary, but uninsured electrolysis appointments for the next 6-8 months, medical equipment that I will need for the healing process, meals, and other aid for when I am in unpaid medical recovery for six weeks.

This is a big surgery, and I will be leaning on my community heavily during this time. As an independent person, I've always found it hard to ask for help, but I realize that this is what community is for and I appreciate the time you've taken to even read this.

For those who know me more personally, let me know if you want to help in any other way besides financial! I know this is a tough time for everyone, and I do not expect people to give if they are not in a position to do so. However, even sharing this can help me get connected to someone who would want to donate.

Thank you, thank you, thank you in advance for your support of any kind, it truly means the world to me. i love you!

My absolute best and a big kiss,

Hawke