Queer Campout started as a surgery fundraiser to finance the laser hair removal that was required for the Camp Director's bottom surgery. Like many gender-affirming procedures, this one required a multi-year process of completing other procedures, maintaining insurance coverage and relationships with doctors / psychologists, checking in with the wait list, and taking care of your body and support system until you are suddenly informed of your date and need to hurry up and start completing preparation tasks. This system makes it hard to budget time off from work, money for the costs to prepare, or handle the other financial strains that come with significant medical procedures. It's expensive, and it was already difficult to get covered by insurance. This has only gotten worse in the immediate aftermath of the election.
If you are geting a gender-affirming procedure and anticipate needing money to fund that procedure or costs related to that procedure (e.g., the medical care is covered, but your time off of work will not be and you won't be able to pay rent, or the skin preparation for the procedure isn't covered, or it's just not covered at all), then you might be a great candidate for this application.
despite the original designation of "surgery fund," we also accept applicants who are getting gender-affirming electrolysis or laser hair removal without an associated surgery!
There are a few things that we ask of you as an applicant:
have a gender-affirming procedure date before April 2026
be willing to speak to Trans Medical Mutual Aid about your financial aid options and support options from their group
attend the Queer Campout (you can opt for day camp. You will get free admission-including a two person tent and sleeping kit, if needed)
Queer Campout is located between Milwaukee and Madison. Sessions this summer are July 18-20 and August 8-10 (Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon)
There are a few things we prioritize in the applications:
Type of procedure
Insurance coverage
Work benefits
Procedure date
If you aren't sure, please still apply! We often have people move their surgery date or experience a change in insurance/income that allows them to pass their fund on to the next applicant in line.
One stipulation for Fund Recipients:
if your surgery date changes and puts you past the deadline of April 2026, we may pass the fund on to the next person in line
In 2023, we rasied ~$1,945 for the fund recipient
In 2024, we raised $2,000 for the fund recipient
IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE FUND: You are welcome and encouraged to apply again in the future!