Meet Julie

Julie (she/her) is a proud Mexican-American undocumented trans woman whose journey has been shaped by resilience and determination. As a DACA recipient, she faces significant barriers to healthcare and public services. She had been diligently saving for her gender-affirming surgery, but the COVID-19 pandemic derailed those plans—forcing her to use her savings for basic survival after being laid off, without access to unemployment benefits due to her immigration status.

Friends and family describe Julie as a hard worker, a loving and caring person, deeply empathetic, and someone who always puts the needs of others before her own. Through every hardship, she has carried herself with remarkable strength.

Receiving this surgery is life-changing for Julie. Living with body dysphoria has made everyday activities—going to work, the gym, public events, or even using public restrooms—difficult and sometimes unsafe. Gender-affirming care will allow her to move through the world with confidence, free from fear of discrimination, and with a renewed sense of self-esteem. Most importantly, it will help her see herself internally in the way she has always known to be true.