Local activist Kits Blanc, the Endo King and QMNTY Center’s Spark King, is waging a battle against endometriosis as an Endo Warrior. The trans man is fighting against a disease that is most often, but not exclusively, tied to gender and one particular organ, the uterus, but Blanc’s illness goes beyond the pelvic walls and gender.
The disease is a painful condition in which tissue that is similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It often affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissue lining the pelvis. While rare, endometriosis growths can occur beyond the area where pelvic organs are located. Blanc is one of the rare cases wherein the disease has attacked additional organs in their body.
In 2018, before he transitioned to male, Blanc, who had been experiencing pain since 2013, underwent a laparoscopy to diagnose and remove abnormal tissue growth, relieve pain, and restore organ function. The surgeon had to remove one of the fallopian tubes. The doctor indicated that the illness had spread throughout Blanc’s body, including the lungs, diaphragm, and bowel.
When Blanc returned to the surgeon for further treatment, the surgeon dismissed him. The surgeon claimed that he did his best to remove the endometriosis.
Blanc said, “Over the years, endometriosis has affected me in many different ways. My symptoms have included severe pelvic and abdominal pain, painful flare ups, gastrointestinal and bowel symptoms, groin pain, difficulty breathing, pain when walking, pain when swallowing, weakness in my arms and legs, back pain, pain that can radiate into other areas of my body, fatigue, temporary loss of vision, brain fog, migraines, and periods of pain severe enough to interfere with everyday activities. At its worst, I was going to the emergency room multiple times a month because of the pain.”
One night, when the pain was too much to bear, Blanc created a video expressing the details of his journey. He said, “The doctors didn’t believe me.” The Influencer created more and more content as he went through each surgery.
Blanc wants people to hear his story. Blanc said, “I want all of the Endo Warriors [people living with endometriosis] to hear my story. I don’t want people feeling like I did. I don’t want anyone to feel like they are fighting their disease alone.”
Because Blanc is a trans man fighting for patients’ rights, he has been trolled, but the internet bullies are not stopping him. Blanc said, “I welcome and thank my trolls. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to get the word out.”
The trolls and their hatred have fueled the algorithm to increase views, but Blanc’s outlook is one of joy, which enrages his tormentors even more. Blanc said, “They are standing around saying, ‘How dare you be happy in a world that hates you,’ but I have therapy, my volunteer work, and my wife Passion to help me through.”
Blanc is on disability but can volunteer at the QMNTY Center as the Spark King. Blanc said, “I use my voice to stand with people who often feel overlooked or unheard. A major part of my work is challenging discrimination and stigma while creating spaces where people can connect, learn, and feel less alone. Beyond social media advocacy, I have brought this mission into my local community through collaborations with organizations including TransYOUniting, Proud Haven, and the QMNTY Continuum. Through these community partnerships, I have supported efforts focused on creating safer, more inclusive spaces, strengthening community connections, and helping people access support and resources.”
Lyndsey Sickler, youth programs coordinator, LGBTQIA+ and youth community organizer, volunteer, and advocate, said, “Kits is an absolute joy to work with and be around. His energy and positivity are contagious, in the best way possible. He is always full of ideas, is committed, and always follows through in any and all ways he is able. He has a genuine desire to help and lift others up, no matter what he may be facing in his own life. I can honestly say meeting Kits and his wonderful wife, Passion, has been one of the highlights of this past year for me both personally and professionally.”
Blanc is also an advocate for inclusive healthcare and representation. When creating social media, Blanc uses the slogan, “No memes. No skits. No acting. Just real life with endometriosis.” Blanc said, “When I show my flare-ups, hospital visits, pain, recovery, or difficult moments, I am not creating a character or exaggerating something for content. I want people to see what living with this disease can actually look like, including the parts that are uncomfortable or difficult to show. If my transparency makes even one Endo Warrior feel seen or less alone, then showing those vulnerable moments is worth it to me.”
Recently, Blanc had the opportunity to share his story with Endometriosis Canada, continuing a larger conversation about awareness, representation, and the importance of patient voices.
To help pay for the exorbitant costs of multiple surgeries, Blanc has launched a GoFundMe.