Help Me Find My Voice: Support My Gender-Affirming Journey

Hi I’m Jo,

I’m a transgender woman (33) who began hormone replacement therapy (HRT) just over a month ago through private healthcare. This journey has been one of the most affirming and life-changing decisions I’ve ever made. However, it hasn’t been without challenges—both personal and financial.

Healthcare for transgender individuals is incredibly difficult to access, especially in the UK, alongside the troubling political situation. Waitlists for gender-affirming care through the NHS are heartbreakingly long, and the process is uncertain and often draining. To pursue the care I need, I’ve turned to private clinics as this is my only option. Wait times locally are around 58 Months on the NHS. While this path has provided me with vital support, it has also come with significant costs that I’ve been struggling to meet.

Earlier this year, I lost my job due to economic challenges in my industry, as such I burnt through all my savings for my transition.

Despite my best efforts, finding stable work has been incredibly difficult. I’ve recently found a new role, which is started last week, but it only covers the basics, leaving little room to save for the care I still need.

At the start of the year, while employed, I paid for private consultations with a psychologist and an endocrinologist, which allowed me to start HRT( 1 month and counting). However, other vital steps in my journey—like facial laser hair removal and vocal feminization surgery—are currently out of reach due to financial constraints. These procedures are essential for my mental health and well-being, helping me to feel more at home in my body and safer in the world.

The costs I’m facing include:

Vocal Feminization Surgery: £4,500 (consultation, surgery, recovery)

Facial Laser Hair Removal: £600 (£40 per session over average of 15 sessions)

Living Costs and Bills: £900 (while recovering from surgery)

The total I’m aiming for is £6000. Every single donation will bring me closer to finally feeling confident and safe in my body—something I’ve dreamed of for so long.

I live alone with my Dog, Quinn (picture below).

If you’re unable to donate, sharing this page with others would mean the world to me. Any support, big or small, will help me take the next steps in my journey toward becoming my true self.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. Your kindness and support mean everything to me.

With love and gratitude,

Jo