[WATCH] Transgender non-binary person, Siv, crowdfunds to ‘feel at home’ in their body

Appealing for public support to ‘feel at home’ in their body, Siv Greyson (23) an artist, activist and academic from Gardens, Cape Town, penned an emotional open letter on their BackaBuddy campaign, detailing their experience of growing up queer in South Africa.

Hi! I’m Siv. You may know me from online spaces or even from a lecture classroom. I get around 😉 I’m a 23-year-old artist, activist, academic working from Cape Town. My work focuses on emphasising the possibility of a world where we are liberated, fed, housed, held, and happy. When all else fails all we have is hope and each other.

Growing up queer wasn’t easy. Since a young age, I knew I wasn’t a girl… but everyone around me was convinced of otherwise and always tried to force me into dresses and heels. Because of this, I spent many years thinking there was something ‘wrong’ with me and that I would never find myself in the world. It was lonely and terrifying. Until I found more people like me who knew better words for explaining our existence and who could join me in my journey in becoming my true self.

Finding fellow queer people saved my life. Because of them, I didn’t think my life was pointless, worthless, or doomed. Finding people like me gave me hope. Not only that, but it gave me a language. Words like “transgender” and even the word “queer”. Fellow queer people gave me words that made my experiences feel even more real.

But, even after finding community and learning the value of embracing myself (no matter how queer I am), one thing remains ‘wrong’: my body. I just don’t feel at home in it. I look in the mirror and wish I could just wave a wand and make my breasts go away. I remember reaching puberty and being frustrated at my growing chest. Even now, I sit hunched in the hopes that nobody will notice. And even with binders (or super tight sports bras) and baggy tops, people still look at my chest and think “girl”. Do you know how awful it is to have people think of you as something that you are not?

Top surgery seems to be the best way forward for me. And without the help of medical aid (which in South Africa, doesn’t cover this kind of surgery) I am having to rely on my community and people beyond to help me make this body a place I can call “home”.

Being able to go ahead with top surgery (or breast removal, as my doctor sometimes says) will literally change my life. As we stand, I am lucky to be able to do my activist/artistic/academic work without completely crumbling into myself at all times. Having a body that feels out of sync with who I makes it so hard to feel worthy, to feel seen, to feel as if my truth matters… More than anything, top surgery will give me a sense of pride, confidence, deep internal happiness, and calm. I won’t have to worry as much about what I wear or how I walk or how I talk … I can just be. Just be me and just be free. Imagine that?

As per my consultation with my AWESOME doctor, the funds raised via this campaign will confer the surgery AND more! The fee given to me will cover the surgeon’s fee, the assistant’s fee, equipment and facility fees, all materials used in the procedure AND all routine follow-up. 

– Siv Greyson

Since the launch of their campaign to undergo breast removal surgery, on donations based crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy, Siv has raised over R55 000 towards their fundraising target of R70 000 with contributions from 114 donors.

Funds raised will be paid directly into the relevant institution by BackaBuddy NPC.

Support Siv’s journey to becoming their authentic self by making a donation towards her Top Surgery:

Donate on BackaBuddy:

https://www.backabuddy.co.za/siv-greyson

Donate Via Snapscan:

https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/siv-greyson

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CM-Hc9CDdpR/?igshid=zp8ufdrkeyvh

Messages of Support pour in for Siv

Need to smile? Read the heartfelt messages of love, support and understanding that have poured in for Siv on their donations page:

“What a gift it is to contribute to your homecoming. I can’t wait to see you exactly how you want us to. x “ – Kabura

“Sending you love and wishing you the best. You deserve to feel comfortable in your vessel!” – Lili Gutierrez

“Operation Teetus Deletus let’s gooo!! From one queer person to another, I’m rooting for you, I’m happy for you, I see you, I love you! “ – Nthati Mabena

“We shouldn’t have to feel like prisoners in our own body” – Ntokozo

“A small donation to help you reach your truest and happiest self! Good luck Siv <3″ – Ilaria

“So much love for you, siv. you deserve this affirmation and you deserve to love and find comfort in your body wholly. xxx”– Chloe D

“So grateful to be able to contribute! Wishing you health, wishing you happiness, wishing you love and wishing you the biggest of blessings all in abundance! “ – Solyle Frankle

Support for trans and gender diverse communities in South Africa.

Gender DynamiX (GDX), established in 2005, is the first registered Africa-based public benefit organisation to focus solely on trans and gender diverse communities. What started as a mere vision, slowly grew into a grassroots organisation. GDX has since become an institutionalised non-profit organisation (NPO) that is fundamental to the development of the trans and gender diverse movement(s) in South Africa and across southern Africa. 

For more information, visit:

https://www.genderdynamix.org.za

Create a crowdfunding campaign

South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far raised over R200 Million.

• Raise funds for an individual or cause.
• Register your non-profit organisation.
• Create a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for a non-profit organisation.

Connect with Porky’s

Facebook. Instagram.Twitter .Youtube .Pinterest .WhatsApp

Subscribe to Porky’s here

Support Us

Support Porky’s in spreading kindness and helpful information by donating to our crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy. Donate.

Zane Groenewald

by Zane Groenewald

• Share
• Tweet
• Pin it
• Share
• Email
• More