Meet Alex
Alex's story
HRT Access Fund recipient
Alex (he/him) is a 25-year-old graduate student seeking HRT. He grew up in a religious home and only came to terms with his queerness when he left home for college. He struggled to come out as trans publicly because the college he went to was explicitly anti-LGBTQ. Just as Alex began his graduate studies and came to terms with his trans-ness, Florida legislators allowed insurance companies to deny HRT claims.
With Florida's rising cost of living, Alex simply couldn't afford the care he needed. Receiving gender-affirming healthcare will enable Alex to live his life as he was always meant to. It will enable him to feel and be seen in his public life as the man he has always been inside.
Alex said, "For a long time, I felt that my trans-ness was something I had to keep bottled up and locked away. Coming out as trans was the first step to healing the parts of myself I kept hidden for so long, and starting HRT will be the beginning of finally feeling whole."
Alex's studies specialize in neuroscience; his research looks at the connections between sleep and alcohol-use disorder. He hopes to become a professor one day, a role that would not only enable him to advance research in his field but also empower him to nurture and inspire future generations of scientists.
Alex's timeline
-
Award Granted
September 13, 2023
Alex was awarded a grant toward HRT/GaHT! -
HRT Onboarding Date
December 9, 2023
Alex was seen by his HRT/GaHT provider. -
Update
March 31, 2024
Alex shared, "Not only has HRT helped me feel better, physically, but the sense of community I got from Plume's support groups has been amazing. I now don't have those days as often, if at all, and when I do, I have a support system of other trans-masc/FTM peers to connect with who understand and can offer sympathy or advice in ways that even the most supportive cis-person can't.
I am finally growing facial hair and I couldn't be more happy! Between binding, packing, and my very faint scruff, combined with my voice beginning to drop, I am beginning to pass more and more in public, which gives me a lot of joy and makes me feel safer for now in FL."
Grant details
$1,450 towards gender-affirming care.
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Help us support more people like Alex get the care they need and deserve.
About Testosterone+
On average, it costs $1,200+/year for Alex's care.
- What is it?
- Accessibility
- After care
What is it?
Testosterone+ refers to the gender-affirming hormone replacement therapy (HRT) methods that some trans men, trans masc, and non-binary people take that result in physical changes which align with their gender identity. Every person's preferences and personal healthcare needs vary, so this can include oral medications, injections, and transdermal patches.
How accessible is it for trans folks to receive this care?
For trans folks who live in states most impacted by anti-trans healthcare legislation, it can be extremely difficult to find a knowledgeable, trans-affirming provider as well as access prescription medication. Many insurance plans do not cover HRT. For trans folks without insurance coverage, the ongoing out-of-pocket expense can be challenging.
What is the impact of this care on the recipient’s life?
Testosterone+ introduces a wide range of masculinizing physical, emotional, and psychological changes that align with their gender identity. This often leads to a more positive emotional well-being, increased confidence, increased safety when in public, and better opportunities at employment and more.