Truth (she/they) is a Black trans woman facing overlapping barriers that have kept HRT out of reach. There are no providers within an 800-mile radius who will prescribe hormones, and the few local clinicians who remain often lack the knowledge to provide gender-affirming care. On top of geography and provider gaps, Truth has faced financial exclusion, difficulty finding decent, sustainable work as a Black trans person, and a lack of community advocacy and support in a transphobic environment.
Because of these barriers, Truth has had to weigh unsafe options: black-market hormones or going into debt to access care. She is also juggling work and higher-education goals, so the financial burden of starting HRT has repeatedly pushed her transition into the future. Twelve months of funded care would give her the safety and stability to begin transitioning without risking financial ruin.
Beyond the immediate need, Truth brings resilience and generosity to those around her: she shows up for friends and family, holds space for love and laughter, and keeps moving forward through hardship. “I have often had to contemplate between black market hormones or going into debt to simply start living in my truth,” she shared. Receiving support would provide the stable grounding she needs to start that transition safely and to focus on other pressing parts of her life.