Hello!

My name is Alicia Lee Rhodes and I am pleased to meet you! I am a transgender teacher in Denver, Colorado trying to raise money for vocal feminization surgery. While I look like a woman, my voice betrays me. My younger students often have trouble remembering to call me Ms. and the sound of my voice when I raise it to teach is disconcerting to both myself and my students. This issue is also problematic when I speak with parents over the phone, who often assume I'm a male at first. I'm seeking to rectify this, and hear the voice from my body that I hear in my head. It would make my transition complete and ease the discrimination I experience in my work and life.

Insurance does not cover vocal feminization surgery, but I am determined to find my voice. There is a clinic in Korea that practices a technique that will allow me to raise my voice and even sing! I never thought I would be able to get VFS, because you cannot raise your voice. As a teacher, this just doesn't work. This clinic and surgery will allow me to serve my kids and have the voice to match what they see!

I will be working diligently to raise money for my surgery, but any help would be appreciated. Thank you for reading!