Aubry is a 25 years old nonbinary individual, whom uses they/them/their pronouns. So, what does “nonbinary” mean for Aubry? The simple explanation is that Aubry does not identify with being male or female. Imagine gender on a spectrum from 1-10. 1 is male and 10 is female. Aubry fits more at a 4 on that spectrum. They find comfort and identity in masculinity.   

So, What is top surgery? It is the removal of the breast tissue and  is often reconstructed to a more masculine chest.   For as long as Aubry can remember, they have never felt that their breasts were a part of their body; much Like a foreign object attached to their chest. Since Aubry was young, they would try to cover up their breasts and hide them. They continue to feel extreme discomfort and pain everyday as they attempt to mask a rather dominant part of their body.   

Let's get more into Aubry’s journey to becoming who they truly are, a trans-nonbinary person. In the beginning of 2020, Aubry came out as nonbinary to me, their wife. Soon after coming out, they expressed wanting to start taking Testosterone.  The process started quickly and I slowly began to see my wife become more comfortable with themself. Yet, they became increasingly more uncomfortable with the breasts that invade their body. I’ve watched Aubry painful agony dealing daily with something that can be removed, thanks to modern medicine.   

The harsh reality is that those whom identify as transgender and nonbinary are subject to severe mental health issues. These include, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Often making changes to the body, like top surgery, is a necessity for survival. Unfortunately, insurance companies see this as an elective surgery and oftentimes will not cover any of the cost. So Aubry has to find the means to pay for this essential surgery out of pocket.   

How much does top surgery typically cost? It ranges from $3,500 to $10,000, depending on several factors. One factor is the size of the breasts being removed; the larger they are, the more complicated the surgery the more money it costs. The first phone consultation with a plastic surgeon in town gave us the price of around $10,000, YIKES! Aubry will have a physical consultation in July of this year. This is where Aubry will get the official price breakdown.    

In the meantime, I am starting this fundraiser to help my wife to become the person they truly are, without the weight of a body that is not truly theirs. We both work very hard but $10,000 is A LOT of money and sometimes we, as  struggling humans, need some help. I am not too proud to ask for help, especially for an amazing person who brings so much joy and light to this world! Please help in any way that you can, it will make such a difference.