support lenna's journey of gender affirmation

hey y’all! I’m lenna, a 25 year-old white, transgender, queer, neurodivergent, disabled individual seeking support for my upcoming top surgery (currently scheduled for my birthday, october 8, 2024).

while parts of me have always known that i am transgender, i’ve only had the language, community, and self-supports to publicly move through the world outside of the gender binary for the past few years. I have spent years tenderly considering gender-affirming medical care, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and my upcoming chest-masculinization surgery, and my decision to pursue medical transition began with HRT earlier this year.

the euphoria, joy, and pleasure i have felt since starting testosterone has been astounding — even life saving. i am eager for my connection to my body and self to deepen post-surgery.

i’m privileged to have insurance that will support this surgery, which will significantly decrease the total cost i am responsible for (from ~14k to ~7k). as a poor individual with multiple marginalized identities, this is not a cost i can afford to pay on my own. i am hopeful that my immediate and larger communities will support me in accessing this necessary healthcare. i am fundraising to not only cover the cost of surgery, but also to help cover some of the income I will not receive during the unpaid time i will have to take off work. I plan to save money on my own as well to help cover as much of these costs, and the costs of supplies needed for surgery, as I can.

however you support and engage (via direct funds, sharing, bringing meals post surgery, etc): thank you, thank you, thank you