Hello, my name is Andrea, diamond, and/or ethereal and I am a 22 year old black trans NB from Maryland US. I have been transitioning for almost 2 years and 6 months, it has been a bumpy ride however I still feel…empty and that I haven’t achieved being myself and comfortable in that skin, and my dysphoria has been torturous to the extent of feeling like I am going through body horror.

One huge obstacle that has been destroying me lately is body hair and lack of access to laser hair removal. My biggest dream was to one day at some point complete laser full body in that I can die knowing I am who I am, and feel immense euphoria I always dreamed of. The feeling of having no control as hairs grow out of your body as you watch it over take you slowly is…extreme.

I can delay the inevitable growth via shaving with razors and and temporarily feel more close to my body and comfortable in my skin. However, the fact that this is far from perfect in results as well as having a history of cutting and trying to avoid sharp objects due to past trauma and pain makes even this process horrifying in and of itself. Sometimes accidentally cutting skin and feeling more disgusted towards that area. Also, my skin is really sensitive and many shaving regimens and products may damage it. It is clear for my skin health laser would be best option.

Finally, in Maryland laser hair removal is considered “cosmetic.” This is not true in my case, at this point it is life or death for me. I genuinely don’t know how much more living with this I can take, just to get started before end of year would be miracle! As I type I feel like Im morphing into something beyond terrifying and it makes me physically sick. This is NOT cosmetics yet it isn’t covered by medicaid for gender healthcare reasons, please, this is my last hope, I genuinely cannot describe in words how grateful I would be and how everyone saved a life even in sharing and contributing!