Help Triss access gender affirming care

Hi, my name is Triss and I’m trying to raise some money to help me access gender affirming care.

Being trans in the UK is kinda… rough. Beyond the constant demonisation of trans people by politicians (https://www.thepinknews.com/2022/11/01/rishi-sunak-trans-equality-act/), celebrities (https://www.them.us/story/is-jk-rowling-transphobic), and the British media (https://www.them.us/story/british-media-transphobia), trans people face an absurd battle for access to the most basic medical care. For anyone relying on the NHS, the waiting times for access to hormones or surgeries (in most cases vital and life saving treatments) borders on parody (https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/08/07/nhs-wait-times-trans-healthcare-porterbrook/). And that’s assuming you meet the absurd “diagnostic” standards necessary to qualify for that kind of treatment to begin with. Many trans people are forced to go to private providers who charge extortionate amounts for inadequate care or worse, DIY their treatment using medications obtained outside of the UK. At best the system is expensive and out of reach for many people, and at worst it is downright dangerous.

I am currently taking two hormones to help with my transition - injectable oestrogen and progesterone. These hormones have had a massive impact on me since I started, I’m happy in my body for the first time in my life and am healthier than I have ever been. Despite a very intense fear of needles, my doctor in South Africa recommended injections as the most effective method of taking oestrogen. I tell anyone who doubts my sincerity for going through transition that I have to do something I’m terrified of week in week out for the rest of my life because the upside is so wonderful.

Unfortunately, the UK does not offer injectable oestrogen at all to patients (it is not certified here at all) and progesterone is extremely difficult to access. The upshot is that to continue my care, I have to travel to South Africa every six months to see my doctor, do a bunch of blood tests to make sure that my hormone levels are all ok, and then buy a supply of oestrogen and progesterone that can last me until the next trip. Needless to say, this is extremely expensive and difficult and when the exchange rate turns against me (as it did recently) it becomes exceedingly difficult to afford. Right now, I am considering what I can cut to give me the bear minimum that I need to remain on my treatment course. That’s a frightening decision because all of it is important.

Before I make a final decision to cut some of the blood tests and progesterone, I’ve decided to do a last roll of the dice and to create a gofundme to try and help get over the line. If you are willing and can spare anything at all, it would go a long way towards helping me out and keeping me on the path to living as my authentic self.

Lots of love <3

Triss