Howdy!

My name is Louis, I am 30 years old, and I use he/him pronouns. I’ve set up this fundraiser in hopes of receiving community support in accessing gender-affirming surgery in just a couple of months.

I came out as transgender at the end of 2016 and started hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in May of 2017. I’m coming up on 5 years on testosterone, and have wanted top surgery since the time I started my transition, but have not been able to access it until now.

A large part of my story includes struggles around about my mental health, addiction and Recovery. Since I started puberty around the age of 10, I've never felt right in my body; growing up I tried to fit all the stereotypes and roles expected of me and desperately wanted a sense of belonging and to love myself, but nothing ever felt right.

I've felt a deep self-hatred most of my life and never knew why I couldn't be happy. I now know this is because I was a trans child who didn’t have the support and language to be myself. Substances came into my life at the end of high school, and were heavily present throughout my early twenties. Alcohol would momentarily take away the hatred and shame I felt about myself for a long time, but I ultimately still felt hopeless. Coming out as trans saved my life, and while existing as a trans person still has its challenges, living my truth is still worth the everyday struggles. Yet, I still struggle feeling comfortable in my own body, and experience body dysphoria daily. I know that top surgery will improve my relationship with my body forever.

With much gratitude, I will celebrate 2 years of sobriety at the end of January. Recovery has not been easy, but it has given me my life back, and until recently I did not have the health or capacity to take the steps toward accessing top surgery. Today I love the man that I've become and I'm so grateful for the journey my life my life has taken me on so far.

*Update: I just talked to my surgeons office on 1/18 and I have secured a surgery date of April 14th 2022!

My fundraising goal is $11,000, which will cover the cost of my surgery, aftercare, and any bills I incur as I will have to take at least a month off from work. As 2022 is starting with a huge surge in COVID cases and many people are struggling, sick, and out of work, I know resources are hard to come by for a lot of people. Despite this, I am humbly asking for any support that community members are willing and able to offer. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your support.

Love, Louis C.

Louis' Gender-Affirming Surgery

By Louis Comrie

Louis' Gender-Affirming Surgery

Team Members