Top Surgery & Recovery Fund for Lou ️‍⚧️

Hi, my name is Lou. I’m seeking help to afford a procedure that will help me see ME when I look in the mirror or see photos of myself.

I’ve had a few rough but eye-opening and liberating years. In late 2021, I went through a divorce during which my life circumstances changed in every way imaginable. I was no longer financially stable, had barely any income due to being a mainly domestic spouse for years, realized I barely had any friends that were mine before they were my ex-spouse’s, and had been emotionally beaten down to the ground with everything that was happening. Anti-depressants certainly saved my life.

However, the most impactful thing that happened over the last few years was that I FINALLY came out as trans.

I had verbalized my feelings since I was a teenager to very few people in my life, but had acknowledged them all the same throughout the years: I didn’t ever identify as a lesbian, because it felt gross and dishonest—because I didn’t feel like a woman. This was the best way I could explain it. In 2021, I came out and, unfortunately, I was very sadly rejected.

My coming out was not a joyful one, but I was lifted up by my queer community. The intense heartache I experienced became so small compared to the freedom I welcomed into my life while I finally externally became who I have always been on the inside. My depression all but disappeared, I stopped being critical when looking in the mirror, and I absolutely sobbed in the GAP dressing room when I bought my first pair of men’s pants. A couple things have always been a little off though and, the longer I have gone on wearing a binder to conceal my chest, the more I have realized that I don’t want to live feeling so constricted for the rest of my life, just to look how I want to look—to have to change my appearance every single day when I wake up to look like myself.

In May of 2023, I had been out for 2 years. Top surgery was never an option for me because, after my divorce, I had no health care at all, much less the funds to pay for it by myself. But I am humbling myself and asking for help from my community. Gender affirming care is important to me.

I hope to raise enough funds to pay for it completely, but I’m setting a goal just to see if I can reach it first.

IF I receive more than I need to get the surgery and take care of my bills during recovery, I will be donating the excess funds directly to the GoFundMe(s) of another local trans guy(s) seeking help for their own top surgery.

Thank you so much for reading about my story, and thank you again if you donate or share! Every dollar helps.