Meet Anna
Anna's story
Electrolysis Support Fund recipient
Anna (she/her) is a 44-year-old trans woman who left South Dakota for Minnesota last year to escape discrimination and mistreatment. She has been out as transgender since 1999 and has always been underemployed, never having the money for electrolysis. Over the past 25 years, Anna has faced significant medical challenges, including colon cancer and neurosurgery for intracranial hypertension, leading to significant medical debt.
"Facial hair is the thing I feel the most dysphoria about," Anna shares. "For the last 25 years, daily (sometimes twice-daily) shaving has caused pain, irritation, bleeding, and noticeable redness on my skin." Despite her efforts, she has been repeatedly denied electrolysis coverage through her Medicaid insurance.
"A grant for electrolysis is life-changing for me," Anna explains. "The main cause of my dysphoria would begin to be addressed."
Anna's timeline
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Award Granted
April 6, 2024
Anna was awarded a grant toward permanent hair removal!
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Care Received
May 3, 2024
A payment has been made toward Anna's permanent hair removal!
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Update
June 25, 2024
Anna shared, "What to do about my facial hair has been an ongoing worry for me for many years, and I did not think a solution was going to be possible. Now I have one treatment completed, a second scheduled for a few weeks from now, and a plan for more treatment sessions after that. I'm grateful to Point of Pride for making something possible that I thought was impossible!
I am moving forward with gender affirming surgery. After 25 years, I finally have insurance that covers surgery, though it does not cover my hair removal treatments. "
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Care Received
July 22, 2024
A payment has been made toward Anna's permanent hair removal!
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Care Received
September 3, 2024
A payment has been made toward Anna's permanent hair removal!
Grant details
$4,000 towards gender-affirming care.
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Help us support more people like Anna get the care they need and deserve.
About Hair Removal: Femme Award
On average, it costs $2,300+ for Anna's care.
- What is it?
- Before care
- After care
What is it?
Point of Pride provides grants to trans femme people seeking hair removal on their face, neck, or an area of the body in preparation for bottom surgery.
What is life like for a person who needs this care?
For trans femme folks, particularly trans femmes of color, access to facial hair removal often equates to safety against anti-trans violence or discrimination. It's common for applicants to note issues with employment and public safety, particularly if their facial hair is dark or thick. Electrolysis and laser hair removal services are often deemed cosmetic and therefore not covered by health insurance plans.
What is the impact of this care on the recipient’s life?
Access to hair removal often leads to a more positive emotional well-being, increased confidence, increased safety when in public, and better opportunities at employment and more.