Bela's gender affirming care fund

Hi, I'm Bela. I am an artist, performer, and producer. I am also a trans person who is moderately disabled and a member of the working poor.

I am very lucky to live in Vermont, where Medicaid does a lot to help trans people with their care. However, there are a lot of secondary and tertiary costs associated with gender affirming care that the state does not help with. Additionally, there are many aspects of trans care that Vermont deems "cosmetic" and will not cover, even though some of them are necessary prerequisites for care that is covered.

Here is a breakdown of my anticipated costs and expenses in securing trans healthcare over the next year:

$500 - cost of gas to and from appointments (assuming ~$3.49/gal)

$1,500 - lost wages taking time off for appointments

$3,500 - out of pocket procedure costs

$2,250 - lost wages during recovery time

= $7,750

This does not include the out of pocket cost for a major surgery that may or may not be covered by insurance - I won't learn this until November, but if it's not covered that's another ~ $10,000 I'll be on the hook for.

I understand that we are in a world where many many people are in need of assistance, working through circumstances much direr than mine, and it feels uncomfortable to be asking for help right now. But I've been encouraged by many to open myself to assistance, so here I am.

Anything you can give is appreciated. Additionally, I am a working art professional, and available to work. Please reach out to me and/or pass my info along for any modeling, art handling, sideshow or burlesque performance, or handyperson needs you may have.

⚧️