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Raye Dooley hasn't added a story.
Greetings, friends! Raye here. I'm a passionate, sometimes awkward, always loving public health nerd and social worker. Many of you know by this point that I'm also gender non-binary and trans.
Vulnerability is hard, especially about personal things like bodies and deep but marginalized parts of my identity. I'm here to be vulnerable though, and to ask for your help. Trans bodies are beautiful, and I need some help to make mine feel a little more like home. I'm here to ask for your financial and emotional support so I can get top surgery this May.
In 2017, I left my job to go back to school and become a therapist. As part of this process, I had the good fortune of landing an 18 month field placement at Duke's Child and Adolescent Gender Care Clinic. I've had the opportunity to work with amazingly courageous trans kids as they lean into their true selves. Growing up in the South, being outwardly trans never felt like an option to me and I didn't feel safe deeply contemplating my own gender identity and exploring how I want to be in the world. After recovering from intense trauma and loss in my 20s, I decided in my late 20s and early 30s that I couldn't wait any longer to let my true self shine through. I spent a lot of time working with my gender identity, through talk therapy, gardening, and long conversations with friends. It has become clear to me that I am non-binary and trans, and that my body's current configuration causes me distress and challenges. Working with the Gender Clinic over the last year has helped to remind me that I can live an authentic life, and that maybe my community will even celebrate me as I take steps to do that. I have come to understand that, for me, top surgery is an important step in the process of living authentically.
For trans folks, myself included, authenticity can come at a price. In this specific instance, because insurance does not adequately cover trans care, that price is $10,000. Because I went back to school, the last couple of years have been financially rough for me. I have had to take out student loans and do not have a full income, both of which are factors that make this surgery a stretch.
Specific cost break down:
- $9,000 - surgery itself
- $500 recovery supplies
- $350 transaction fees for Fundrazr
- $150 travel to Charlotte
After I graduate, I'm fully dedicated to continuing to work with trans young people and will start a therapy private practice, an expensive endeavor itself. If you want to read more about the work I hope to do, please visit www.RayeDooley.com. Because top surgery is a way to live authentically (not for all trans people but for me), I want to get this procedure done before I step into working full time as a clinician. Wholeheartedly living my own trans life will help me better engage in my work with other trans people.
When I was younger, I never dreamed it was possible to be an out, successful queer and trans adult and fully live my own gender. As I have moved toward doing this, my community has embraced and supported me. Will you support me one more time, in making this next big step a reality?
You can do that in three ways.
- First, by supporting me emotionally in whatever way makes most sense to you.
- Second, by donating to this fundraising campaign if you are able.
- Third, by sharing this page with anyone you think might have the desire and ability to contribute.
Every little bit means so much, whether you're able to give $2 or $200. $10,000 sounds like a lot - but it's really 100 people giving $100, 200 people giving $50, or 400 people giving $25. That makes it feel more possible!
Thank you so much, beloved community. I believe, with your support, that I can do this.
Also - if you're wondering what "non-binary" means, you can learn more here.
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