Meet Al, 2023 Annual Trans Surgery Fund Recipient

Congratulations to Al, who has been awarded $10,000 towards his gender-affirming surgery!

Al (he/him) is an autistic non-binary trans man seeking top surgery. Due to his remote location, the closest access to surgery is out-of-state, which health insurance isn't willing to cover. He's been saving money for surgery for several years, but he is the sole provider for his son and his job constraints limit him from working more hours a week. Al used GoFundMe to help supplement the cost, and he was overwhelmed by the support he received, but it was still only a fraction of what he needed. 

Al is an artist and author, and he channeled his ache for top surgery and relieving dysphoria into a cozy, hopeful book with a trans man protagonist. That book eventually got him an agent and a publishing deal. The money wasn't enough for surgery, but he believes books can be comforting and life-changing, and he wants trans readers to be able to see them selves in stories where they're the heroes and get the happy ending.

He has a lot of anxiety and dysphoria surrounding his appearance. He's been wearing binders for several years, and though they help, they are uncomfortable and still don't give him the flat-chested profile he needs. He wants to be comfortable in his own skin and focus more energy on creating art and supporting the queer community instead of struggling with dysphoria.

Al plans to have surgery in the coming months. Stay tuned for updates!