Hannah Danana is a tattoo apprentice at Liquorice Tattoo in Kirriemuir, Scotland, who simply so occurs to be transgender with an lively GoFundMe marketing campaign. Right here Hannah shares her story about what’s meant to occur for you’ll occur (the which means of the quote above lovingly taken from her granny)…
I’ve had an infinity in the direction of tattooing since, at the least, my early teenagers, having all the time been intrigued by the tradition and historical past surrounding it. I by no means essentially noticed myself changing into a tattoo artist, regardless of finding out artwork, however it’s one thing I’ve been round for many of my grownup life and simply appeared like a pure match. I’ve been apprenticing for 2 years now, going into my third.
I had all the time recognized in delicate ways in which my physique didn’t line up with my gender and that I used to be “completely different” however after years of despair and battling with (what I didn’t know on the time was) dysphoria I realised that I used to be in actual fact trans. And so for the sake of my wellbeing and psychological well being and with love and assist from my superb spouse, I transitioned. I began in my mid 20s (I’m now 30) earlier than I had begun my apprenticeship. So coming into, what was and nonetheless could be predominately a boy’s membership, as a transwoman was pretty intimidating.
After a few false begins in different studios I discovered my house at Liquorice Tattoo. Which is an inclusive all feminine studio. They had been massively accepting of me and my journey and gave me a secure area to be taught and hone the craft.
Since I began working and studying at Liquorice Tattoo early in my transition I’ve nonetheless been persevering with my journey “on the job” because it had been, by way of the NHS. Now, the NHS is and could be, great. But it surely’s not with out its troubles and prolonged ready lists. At present the NHS gender clinics within the UK are experiencing large quantities of affected person intakes and due to such, are experiencing unprecedented ready lists. Which sadly implies that trans, non-binary and different gender nonconforming individuals like myself are ready months, if not years, for his or her preliminary appointments by no means thoughts beginning precise remedy.
Fortunately other than my prolonged waits with the NHS they’ve been actually good in coping with me and my transition. However like I mentioned, the NHS shouldn’t be with out its pitfalls and funding being a big situation implies that not all therapies accessible to trans persons are deemed “important”. In my case that was breast augmentation and facial feminisation surgical procedure.
Now, gender dysphoria generally is a fickle beast and often if you sort out one space of misery, one other that was lurking within the background turns into much more outstanding. A very powerful a part of my transition at first for me was gender affirmation surgical procedure (for anybody unaware of what that’s or might entail, I’ll depart it as much as them to Google and analysis.)
After having that surgical procedure (which I’m without end grateful to the NHS and the great workforce at Nuffield Brighton) and eliminating the biggest supply of gender dysphoria for me, different areas of my dysphoria began to rear their ugly head. And regardless of the way you attempt to suppose your means round it, these options that will or might not be noticeable to others, grow to be all encompassing components of your physique picture.
Regardless of what number of instances somebody comforts you that no person sees what you see, you’ll by no means actually be comfy in your pores and skin till it’s handled.
That’s why I began my gofundme campaign. So I might afford the surgical procedures that the NHS couldn’t provide me and at last really feel actually comfy in myself which I consider everybody has a proper to! Whereas the entire value of those surgical procedures is across the £18,000 mark, I’m not attempting to lift the total quantity (which might be good). However principally to melt the blow for any type of mortgage that I’ll possible have to take out to cowl them. With out the gofundme marketing campaign it will be years earlier than I might afford them and people who endure from extreme despair know that years aren’t essentially assured. One significantly darkish interval could possibly be the one. However that’s one other dialog in and of itself.
Thanks a lot to anybody that has shared or donated to the marketing campaign. I’m endlessly grateful to all of you.
And to anybody throughout the LGBT neighborhood that aspires to work within the tattoo trade however is simply too intimidated or scared by its popularity of being un-inclusive or a “boy’s membership”. Go for it! Simply go forward and make the leap. As a result of for each studio which may flip you away for being an LGBT apprentice there may be one other, secure, accepting studio ready with open arms.
