Hi, my name is Hayes (they/them), and I recently underwent a life-affirming gender confirmation surgery. For the past five years, I've been working tirelessly to save for this procedure. I've spent countless hours researching insurance options, consulting with doctors, and connecting with others in the trans community to prepare for this important step.

I planned everything carefully: I set my surgery date, paid the upfront costs, and booked my travel arrangements. However, just five days before my surgery, I was informed of an unexpected $7,000 charge that had to be paid before the procedure could proceed. Faced with the uncertainty of whether this crucial surgery would remain accessible under our current administration, I felt I had no choice but to put the charge on my credit card to secure my surgery date.

Asking for financial help is incredibly difficult for me—even harder than the challenges of post-surgery recovery—but at this point, I feel I have no other option. I'm a graduate student in Colorado living on a fixed income, and this unexpected expense has put me in a tough spot.

If you are able to contribute towards my surgery fees, I would be deeply grateful. Every bit of support means the world to me. If you can't donate, sharing this with others who might be able to help would also mean so much.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, for your support, and for standing with the trans community. Your kindness truly makes a difference.