Meet Laith
Laith's story
Annual Trans Surgery Fund recipient
Electrolysis Support Fund recipient
Laith (she/they) is a Black Southern trans femme who was awarded a grant in 2021 towards permanent hair removal and a grant in 2024 towards facial feminization surgery.
Laith lives with significant financial challenges due to large outstanding student loans and medical debts. After saving money and fundraising for years to afford her first surgery in her medical transition, she struggled to garner more mutual aid to continue transitioning. She knew she had more goals for herself but was unable to attain affordable insurance coverage in Georgia. Despite these difficulties, Laith threw dance parties for her local queer community, while continuing to push her GoFundMe on social media as a means of additional fundraising; however, she was still unable to afford the procedures she needed. Consequently, she didn’t know if she would ever be able to attend law school, which she planned to do after her transition.
They shared, "Having gender-affirming healthcare will literally alter my whole lifestyle: it will help me occupy spaces and feel seen in those spaces. It will help me feel better in the clothes I wear, the bathrooms I choose to use, the relationships I maintain, and the body I possess."
Laith is an advocate for queer, Black, and brown people through her work at an employment discrimination law firm based in Georgia. She hopes to deepen her practice and serve her community by becoming an attorney. She is very excited to have the confidence to continue being an out and proud Black trans woman in a field all-too-often dominated by white cis men.
Laith's timeline
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Award Granted
November 22, 2021
Laith was awarded a grant toward permanent hair removal! -
Care Received
May 17, 2022
A payment has been made toward Laith's permanent hair removal! -
Care Received
October 27, 2022
A payment has been made toward Laith's permanent hair removal! -
Care Received
December 23, 2022
A payment has been made toward Laith's permanent hair removal! -
Care Received
February 15, 2023
A payment has been made toward Laith's permanent hair removal! -
Update
March 19, 2023
Laith shared, "Being able to clear my facial hair is and has been one of my main goals in my transition journey. As unfortunate as it is, being able to pass without beard shadow is instrumental in me being able to land opportunities in high places. It's a long and difficult process, but this grant was able to get me started and that's one of the most difficult parts." -
Award Granted
March 8, 2024
Laith has been granted a surgery fund award.
Grant details
$23,425 towards gender-affirming care.
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Help us support more people like Laith get the care they need and deserve.
About Facial Feminization Surgery
On average, it costs $32,000+ for Laith's care.
- What is it?
- Before care
- Accessibility
- After care
What is it?
Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS) is a series of procedures aimed at altering facial features to create a more traditionally feminine appearance. This can include procedures such as forehead contouring, rhinoplasty (nose reshaping), chin and jaw contouring, lip augmentation, and various soft tissue procedures to feminize the overall facial structure. The exact procedures are customized to each individual’s desired outcome.
What is life like for a person who needs this care?
Trans femme folks often experience gender dysphoria related to facial features that are perceived as masculine. This can lead to discomfort, anxiety, and a sense of incongruence with one's gender identity. Importantly, for many trans women, access to FFS is a matter of safety and mitigating the chance they will be identified as trans in public and subjected to anti-trans discrimination or harassment.
How accessible is it for trans folks to receive this care?
FFS is often considered a cosmetic surgery and is therefore unlikely to be covered by insurance. The price for FFS can also vary widely depending on the number and complexity of the procedures performed. It can also be hard for trans femme folks to find affirming surgeons in their region, especially in states and regions most impacted by anti-trans healthcare legislation.
What is the impact of this care on the recipient’s life?
The recovery period for FFS is significant: it can take up to a year for features to fully heal. Most trans folks report greatly improved self-esteem, confidence, and sense of authenticity, which translates into greater opportunities in employment and more.
About Hair Removal: Femme Award
On average, it costs $2,300+ for Laith's care.
- What is it?
- Before care
- After care
What is it?
Point of Pride provides grants to trans femme people seeking hair removal on their face, neck, or an area of the body in preparation for bottom surgery.
What is life like for a person who needs this care?
For trans femme folks, particularly trans femmes of color, access to facial hair removal often equates to safety against anti-trans violence or discrimination. It's common for applicants to note issues with employment and public safety, particularly if their facial hair is dark or thick. Electrolysis and laser hair removal services are often deemed cosmetic and therefore not covered by health insurance plans.
What is the impact of this care on the recipient’s life?
Access to hair removal often leads to a more positive emotional well-being, increased confidence, increased safety when in public, and better opportunities at employment and more.