Support Oliver’s Journey to Happiness

Hi, I’m Oliver (he/him).

I’m a Brazilian trans man, writer, and guide based in Los Angeles. For years, I’ve navigated survival: healing, rebuilding, and finding home in a new country. Now, for the first time, I’m grounded. And I’m ready to grow.

This GoFundMe is part of a bigger moment: I’m finishing writing my first book, The Wanderer’s Veil. Along with it, I’m opening a space where people can support not just the project, but the person behind it, me.

Your support will help me move forward on three key fronts, in this order:

• Formalizing my tourism business, with proper TCP license;

• Publishing and distributing my book;

• Top surgery with Dr. Garramone — the final, freeing step in my gender transition.

More than any car or material thing, this surgery is what will bring me full freedom and fulfillment. It’s not about changing who I am. It’s about finally aligning the inside with the “outside decoration”.

This fundraiser isn’t just about transition, it’s about transformation in every sense. Mostly, it’s about authenticity, and the courage to live it fully.

It took me a while to gather the courage to share it, but I believe in being transparent: if I have to ask for help, I’d rather it be to reach my full potential!

If this message speaks to you, thank you for helping me keep going, and for choosing to walk beside me as I share my truth with the world.

While I’m trans and proud, my work welcomes all. Through WanderlustLA, I’ve guided families from all over the world: Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Canada, Brazil, the Philippines, Finland, offering curated experiences for parents and kids exploring Los Angeles together. I also dream of reaching more queer travelers in the future, creating safe spaces through presence, kindness, and joy.

You can follow me at @oliver.riobarbosa for my personal journey, or at @wanderlustlatravel to keep up with my dream job!