Hi, my name is Rye or Madisen, whatever you prefer to call me. I'm a full time nanny to the sweetest and most energetic two year old in Durham, an independent artist with a long and abiding enthusiasm for pigments and bright colors, and a boba enjoyer to say the least. I've been out as trans (nonbinary if we are getting specific) since I was 16 and the community I find myself in now as an adult is loving, welcoming, and worth fighting for.
The first time I felt dysphoria I was 6. I didn't have the words for it and didn't understand what was happening except i felt sick and outside of my body. I stopped drawing myself how i actually looked around 2016, and started drawing the version of myself I could only let myself dream of: tattooed and strong and, most importantly, flat-chested. Now at 27, I have decided it's more than overdue to feel comfortable in my body.
Asking for help is hard and I know it feels like the world is falling apart in new and horrific ways everyday. Our government wants to legistlate trans adults out of exsistence, taking drivers licenses away from people who simply want to live authentically, refusing to cover life saving surgeries, and taking the choice to explore gender away from children. To live authentically is simply the only way forward. I feel incredibly lucky that I have such a supportive, loving, community surronding me that allows me to be myself and make art in the ways I want to.
The cost of the surgery is 13,500 dollars, but it doesn’t include prescription medications, after surgery costs and other things needed which will be around 500 dollars so I’m asking for 14,000 to cover the total cost. The final cost is due on May 28th, twenty one days prior to June 17th.
If you can help financially, I truly can not begin to express how much it means to me. And if you can't trust me, I get it. Help me by sharing the word, sharing this link, talk to your friends and family about the horrors being faced by the trans community in our country, call your representatives, get loud, get angry, go support your local queer and trans commmunity. my love, friendship, and appreciation are not transactional! but if you're able to stop by and say hello while i'm recovering, or give me a book recommendation, or send a card wishing me well, i'd love that.
If somehow I raise more money than I need to cover my surgery, anything above that will be put aside and donated to other local trans folks seeking gender affirming care.
If you're here at the end of this, I love you, I appreciate you, I hope you have a great day.
