In 2003, a dear friend and mentor of mine passed away after having survived a number of years following a heart transplant. It was a trying time not only for her physically but financially as well. A group of friends put on a fund raising benefit to assist in paying for her medications.

Early in 2009, one of the people involved in that endeavor suggested that I let my friends do the same sort of benefit to finance my chest surgery. I agreed on the basis that those involved would commit to doing an annual event to help others get their surgeries as well.

The idea didn't take off right away but it stayed in my mind and I discussed it with other trans-men and members of the community. There was interest but people were initially slow to respond - these sort of things have not been fruitful in the past. After a lot of discussion, a few folks decided to jump on board and we had our first organizational meeting in July 2009, we were off and running. Currently, we have some small fundraisers planned to raise "seed" money for our first benefit which is planned for April 2010.

I and the other members of the founding group are looking forward to the future of this cause. We believe that every trans-gender person should have access to the very vital surgeries necessary for physical transition. We are currently focused on reconstructive chest surgery for female to males, but our vision is to someday be able to assist any trans-gender person in their physical transition.

The purpose of the Florida Trans Man Fund is:
   
To provide financial assistance to trans-men for reconstructive chest surgery, by means of grants and/or loans.
   
To promote the health and well being of all trans-gender persons through community support and referrals to services.
    
To create a needed alliance between the Trans and GLB communities.  



We will meet these goals through education, fund-raising and donations of time and money from members of the TGLB and straight communities in the Tampa Bay Area.    

The vision of the Florida Trans Man Fund is that we will be able to offer financial assistance to all trans-gender people for their physical transition as well as basic medical needs and preventative care.