New York-based model and DJ Maya Mones is preparing for her Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS) with a fundraiser that closes September 30. In the final stretch towards her $30k goal, Mones has collaborated with Chromat on an exclusive shoot and interview, and now released a celebratory 65-minute mix as part of Discwoman's ongoing mix series.
"Not only is FFS an incredibly important step for me in reclaiming my body," Mones told Chromat, "but it is crucial to my physical safety and comfortability in the world, my mental and emotional soundness." After finding a photo of herself at 5 years old, she said she realized FFS provides her "the chance to return to myself, to pick up where I unknowingly left off."
Her Discwoman mix echoes Mones' dedication to empowering the trans community, exclusively featuring black trans femmes and trans femmes of color. "As I prepare for surgery and for what it means to finally be myself, to meet myself for the first time, I couldn't imagine a better soundtrack to carry me through it," Mones told The Fader.
Listen to Maya Mones' Discwoman mix, below, and donate to her FFS fundraiser, here.
I watched the Kid Rock Turning Point USA halftime show so you don't have to
Opinion: "I have no problem with lip syncing, but you'd think the side that hates drag queens so much would have a little more shame about it," writes Ryan Adamczeski.