Get This Off Ya Chest!

THE WHAT, THE WHERE, THE WHEN AND THE WARDROBE

A party to raise money to help HK get vital gender confirmation surgery with some of nipaluna/ Hobart's funkiest musicians/performers! Line up includes:

Jay Jarome- https://open.spotify.com/artis...
Mangus- https://open.spotify.com/artis...
Boil Up- https://open.spotify.com/artis...
Baba Bruja- https://www.facebook.com/babab...

Hosted by the fabulous Mamma Rosa!

+ Silent auction, raffle, bar and snacks

Date: Saturday 27th August 2022

Time: Doors @ 6.45pm

Location: The Long House, 6 Evans Street, nipaluna/ Hobart

THE WHO

HK Vermeulen is a proud trans non-binary singer, dancer, drag artist, event producer, teacher and leader within nipaluna/ Hobart's artistic and queer communities. If you don't know them already, you've probably seen them performing as their drag persona Trey L'Trash, with DRILL performance company or attended one of the many events they've performed in or produced across lutruwita/ Tasmania in the last 10 years. They touch the lives of so many people within our community, and bring positivity and passion to everything they do.

They also happen to be the love of my life. They inspire me (as a proud non-binary person) with their ability to walk through the world as their true self, even in the face of discrimination and ignorance. Through their determination for authenticity they set an example for myself and others; creating a safe and nurturing environment for people to be themselves and to truly express their individual fabulousness. They water the seed within people (regardless of gender, sexual orientation or background) that leads to pride in bringing their interior selves into the light and foster compassion, understanding and celebration within our community.

THE WHY

HK identifies as transgender and non-binary, which means that their gender identity is different to the one that they were assigned at birth. For the purposes of brevity I'll encourage anyone who wants more information on the trans experience to consult the following: https://transequality.org/issu... as a starting point.

HK has undertaken a number of medical, legal and social procedures as part of their transition to their true gender and, after more than two years of waiting, the time has come for a vital surgical intervention that will help to align their body's expression with their gender identity, known as gender confirmation (or affirmation) surgery (more information here:https://www.lgbtiqhealth.org.a...). This procedure doesn't come cheap, however, and that's where we need your help.

The procedure, which will be performed by one of the only plastic surgeons in lutruwita/ Tasmania who does gender affirmation surgery will cost $13,738.80. As an emerging power couple within the arts world (lol) we don't have that kind of money, and neither Medicare nor HK's private health insurance covers the procedure (which is total bull- for more information on why gender confirmation surgery is 100% lifesaving and should be covered by medicare check out this article: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/ar...).

When we sat down to talk about how we might make this possible we decided that we didn't just want to ask for your money, we wanted to throw a party to celebrate the power of community and solidarity. We've assembled an awesome cast of musicians, entertainers and production workers (all of whom are donating their time) and we can't wait to have a big ol' knees up with you all!

I want to personally ask you to help us towards our financial goal by purchasing a ticket to this fabulous event, participating in the raffle/ silent auction, sharing it within your networks and joining us on the night to help celebrate HK's resilience, pride and indomitably positive spirit!

We would love for you to donate what you can, but certainly don't want to exclude anyone from the event who's experiencing financial difficulties. Please check out our tiered ticketing system, or call me on 0439 757 325 to chat about coming along to celebrate with us.

Much love, and thanks in advance for your support,

Stevie McEntee (they/ them)