A Friend in Need
A few months ago I watched a film called Knife + Heart. It was a Giallo set in the world of Gay and Transgender pornography. It is an inspired setting. In most Giallo films, the hero is the outsider, but in K+H most (straight) viewers are the outsider. The film is graphic, gory, but also riotously funny. It is a film made in France and thus, introduced me to many actors I was not aware one. One of those was a transgender actress named Simone Thiebaut. She was only in the film for a few minutes, but she was so unique I had to see more. Then I found Les Iles on Shudder. It is a short homoerotic fever dream. The bulk of which features a love story involving a chaste Simon.e discussing love and lust with her boyfriend and a straight woman who longs for a relationship like theirs. I highly recommend a viewing. It’s currently streaming exclusively on Shudder.
That is how I came to follow Simon.e on Instagram (@simonethiebaut) and found out about her plight. The healthcare system in France provides many benefits for its citizens, but allegedly doesn’t view Trans persons with compassion. We think it’s rough in the US, but in many countries Trans people are ostracized or in the case of Russia, executed (allegedly). I have to say allegedly for legal reasons, but I encourage you to do your own research. Simon.e has experienced hardships attempting to get fair care during her treatment and needs to seek out better doctors.
Please visit Simon.e’s Go Fund Me (Link Below) and if you have the means and the conviction, donate to help with medical costs.
Simon.e’s state is below. Quoted from Gofundme.com:
Hi everyone,
I’m Simon.e Thiébaut, an artist-photographer, actress, a party organiser (ParkingStone), a Dj (aka Drame Nature) and occasional model. I’m 31 and I live in Paris.
I have identified as transgender for a few years now. Since I’m based in France, I’m lucky enough to have access to extended health cover : I was able to follow the traditional process offered by our social security system for people “suffering from anomaly or gender dysphoria”. Though I do not agree with their diagnosis, I was granted a complete refund of my hormonal treatment thanks to the ALD31 protocol (long term assignment for a case of serious illness or of an evolutive or disabling case of a serious illness) after a long series of psychological interviews, endocrinology appointments and tedious medical monitoring.
After more than a year needed for the adaptation and stabilisation of my treatment (Androcur and Oestrodose), I can confirm that starting a hormonal therapy is one of the best decisions I have ever taken. I now feel psychologically aligned, which I did not even think I could hope for, I’m very excited to go one step further with facial feminization surgery (FFS). FFS is an intervention including a set of procedures that feminise a face by “softening” so-called male features - correcting the Adam’s apple, reshaping the jawline, etc. Since my hormonal therapy already altered some of my physical features, I am now yearning to undertake this series of operations to further my transition. I’ve wanted to have these carried out since I was a teenager, so it is a deeply-considered decision.
After multiple appointments such as complete check-ups, radiographies and physical exams, my hopes were seriously challenged because of the total cost of surgery and hospitalisation which amounts to around 15000€. It was absolutely inconceivable for me to plan anything until I realised part of this sum could be covered by that ALD protocol. Following the filing of new requests and thanks to wise advice from my trans friends, I’m now patiently waiting for a first series of interventions planned for February / March 2020 with Dr Ruiz at the Henri Mondor hospital.
However, the selection of these upcoming covered interventions was based on criteria I personally do not agree with : current binary beauty standards for so-called feminine and masculine traits seen through the eye of the medical staff. Therefore, several of the operations necessary to my well-being and essential to the transformation process I’m starting up have been left out. I am glad, grateful and aware of my privileged situation over many of my foreign trans sisters but I won’t let practitioners dictate what my body should or should not look like.
These are heavy interventions, and I’m well aware of that. The second series of operations I’m planning after the February / March 2020 one will not be covered and I have to pay their 8000€ cost myself. This is the reason why I’m kickstarting this GoFundMe, to try to gather that amount, hoping I can count on your solidarity, your support and generosity. Any form of contributions, attention or sharing from your part are more than welcome. Obviously, when we reach the goal, LET’S CELEBRATE THIS !
With all my respect to every one of you,
Kisses and love,
S.
