Bella Podpadec designs exclusive t-shirt to raise funds for top surgery and Mermaids charity

Taking to the band's socials, Podpadec revealed that they will be splitting all of the proceeds raised from the t-shirt sales between their top surgery and the charity and advocacy organisation Mermaids, which supports gender diverse and transgender youths.

"My relationship with gender & the band have been inextricably entwined. It was through this project that I was able to begin unraveling my relationship with compulsory gender norms & getting comfortable with my truth as a nonbinary person," they explained, revealing that the design on the t-shirt was in homage of a transgender unicorn patch that they bought from "queer punx at a warehouse show in Vancouver" on their first ever tour.

Speaking to BEST FIT, Podpadec elaborates: "Trans people (and allies) are really really good at mutual aid and community support, and while that's so amazing and such a blessing, it is this way because we are systemically failed by institutions and denied access to healthcare. It shouldn't have to be this way, everyone has a right to access to the healthcare they need and it is bigotry and biases that run so deep within our culture and are being peddled so hard by people in power as a kind of decisive 'culture war' in a cheap bid to gain votes and generate fear.

"There's a lot of joy in this but there's also a lot of anger. Also wanna name my huge privilege in having access to social capital that means my fundraiser is gaining this kind of support and would encourage readers to seek out crowdfunders by other trans people!!!".

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Their statement on Dream Wife's socials continued: "It felt important to support a charity like Mermaids as this band is a gift to our teenage selves - modeling in the world what we couldn’t see back then. Growing up under section 28 there is a part of me that deeply grieves for my teenage self & the lack of access I had to language & resources. With the current consultation for schools surrounding gender questioning students it is a troubling time for trans, NB & gender nonconforming young people & it is vitally important to support these kids!"

"Everyone deserves to feel comfortable & at home in their bodies. Trans people deserve access to adequate support, medical care & body autonomy," they added.

Since its inception in 1995, Mermaids has been supporting trans, non-binary and gender-questioning children and young people and the important people in their lives. As one of the UK’s leading trans-focused charities, they provide services directly to trans children and young people, to families, and work to educate and inform professionals and organisations who want to be part of a society where trans children and young people are safe, included and empowered to be their best selves.