Meet Xavier

Xavier (he/him) lives in Alabama, where accessing gender-affirming care remains extremely difficult due to a lack of provider support and insurance barriers. After enduring years of hiding his true self, including a traumatic experience as a teenager when church members attempted to “pray the gay away”, Xavier found the courage to come out.

He married young, raised four children, and eventually met his wife, who has become his strongest source of support and advocacy. With her encouragement, Xavier has continued to pursue care, even after being denied coverage and dropped by therapists for being open about his gender identity.

An artist and group fitness instructor, Xavier finds joy in creating illustrations and teaching Body Pump, a music-driven weightlifting program. While his work inspires others, Xavier still struggles with dysphoria and depression, longing for his outward appearance to match the man he knows himself to be. With the support of his wife and access to care, Xavier hopes to finally feel at home in his body.