Rhea's transitioning and needs help for surgery

Hi folks. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Rhea Rollmann. I’m a journalist, writer and radio producer based in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. I work by day at a non-profit community radio station (CHMR-FM) and by night (and weekends) I write for an array of inspiring and mostly-independent publications. I’m also a former embedded academic/PhD student, who made many dear and still-beloved friends and intellectual colleagues around the world while discovering just how thoroughly rotten the academic establishment was from the inside (and then jumped in an escape pod). And I’ve also spent a fair bit of time working as an activist, in the student movement, labour movement, and queer rights movement. Oh, and I’m trans!

Hence why I’m talking to you today. As most of you probably know, in 2019 I came out (publicly) as a trans woman and have been working through the transition process ever since. This comes after a good 3+ decades of dealing with this behind the scenes, ie in the closet. (For a glimpse of that experience, stay tuned for an upcoming episode of Karl Wells' 'Point 2 Point' series, on Rogers TV!) In short: growing up in Newfoundland in the ‘90s was in no way conducive to developing a healthy understanding of one’s gender (or sexuality), and it’s taken quite a while to overcome the effects of a childhood full of homophobic/transphobic schoolteachers and other institutions, and finally acknowledge myself in an authentic way. So now I’m making up for lost time!

And as many of you know, transition comes with HUGE expenses: hair removal, medications, surgical interventions, and more. Theoretically it's supposed to be covered by our public health care system, but in reality, it is effectively not. Those expenses that are covered, are often reimbursed (not covered up front) and only in part. As part of my process of grappling with that reality, I recently published the following extensive feature with The Independent, which chronicles some of the many huge gaps in our public system when it comes to trans health care. If you're wondering why these expenses exist and are so big, and how poorly our governments are doing at dealing with the problem, check out my article:

https://theindependent.ca/journalism/transforming-transition-related-surgeries-in-nl/

I have to admit, putting up a GoFundMe was something I resisted for MONTHS, even when financial problems started to get serious. I felt quite honestly very self-conscious and perplexed that I even needed to: unlike so many people I know, I'm fortunate to have a job. (one that’s not the best but not the worst in terms of pay) And before I started transition, I even had savings! But after 2+ years of transition-related expenses, I have not only used up ALL my savings but am also seriously massively in debt. I even ramped up my freelance work in recent months to try to deal with that, but that's barely put a dent in these expenses.

I finally have the option for the gender confirmation surgery for which I've been on the waiting list for about a year and a half, but the irony is I can't presently afford the up-front costs associated with that surgery, including travel/accommodation/medical support expenses for myself and my medical support person. Theoretically some of those expenses will be reimbursed by MCP (provincial public health care) at some point after the surgery, but there are no guarantees and any reimbursement is only partial. And my existing transition-related debts prevent me from covering any of this on credit or the like. I've already got over $15,000 in transition-related debt that I'm trying to figure out how to pay back (on top of student loans) but I'm not even thinking about that at this point – I'm mainly trying to make sure I can access the surgery that is finally ALMOST within reach.

So, that's what I'm seeking support for. It makes me seriously angry (and sad, and quite self-conscious) that this is even necessary, but for once I'm setting all that aside as my main priority is accessing the surgery. As the wise and wonderful Brit Byrnes – who’s been a tremendous help through this process -- pointed out to me when I was still balking at seeking support: “It’s okay that you’re scared but remember it’s only because neoliberalism has taught you it’s wrong to need community support.” So as frightening as this is I’m trying to keep that in mind!

What are the specific expenses I’m looking to cover?

The most urgent need is to cover airfare and accommodations/expenses for me and support person for the surgery, which is happening in Montreal (estimated: $4000)

I am also hoping to raise funds to begin electrolysis treatment upon my return (estimated: $2000. I’ve already paid for two years’ worth of laser hair removal, however when your facial hair is the colour of autumn flax there are limits to what laser-beams can accomplish, Death Star propaganda notwithstanding)

(that said: never underestimate the power of laser! As a wise man once said “Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid!“)

I’ve also had a consultation for facial feminization surgery, which would be deeply desirable at a cost of $4000. I hate surgery, btw, but I hate being misgendered and getting in awkward arguments about it even more. Unfortunately, the later in life that you start hormone treatment the less effective they are: see my above comments about the perils of a transphobic school system in the ‘90s.

In some jurisdictions, these expenses are covered by public health care; unfortunately in Newfoundland they are not, at present. It’s hopeful there may be some partial reimbursement of the travel/accommodations expenses from MCP for the surgery in Montreal, but that will remain to be seen after the post-surgery applications have been submitted. In the event that I would actually wind up with funds leftover after the above expenses and following any potential reimbursement, I would donate any remaining funds forward to another trans person(s) in a similar situation (there’s no shortage of us here locally in this situation).

I hope this has covered things, and also that you managed to catch the four key Star Wars references in this write-up. On a more serious note, thanks for reading this far and also for whatever support you may have offered, if you found yourself able to. It’s difficult to ask for support since I know many people are financially hurting these days – I used to donate regularly to these fundraisers but had to stop once I began transitioning myself, since I started running out of money fast. So I fully understand if you’re in that boat. And I appreciate the many non-financial kindnesses so many people have shared with me since coming out – those are often more valuable than money and mean the world. The transition process has been challenging – as a friend recently put it, full of “ecstatic joy and soul crushing trauma.” It’s our flawed and inadequate public institutions that are largely responsible for the trauma, but it’s folks like you who deserve thanks for helping make the joy possible!

Anyway, if you have any questions feel free to reach out to me via the contact button below.

Thanks folks! May the force be with you!

Rhea.