Meet Aryana
Aryana's story
Electrolysis Support Fund recipient
Aryana (she/her) has faced countless barriers in her journey to obtain gender-affirming care, including bureaucratic red tape, financial constraints, a lack of culturally competent or trans-experienced providers, and a lack of social and familial support, as well as institutional and societal pushback. Despite challenges, she pushed forward and has been transitioning for the last several years.
Aryana is amazed by the transformation she has experienced in that time: "It's a miracle just how much I've grown, and that right there is the one thing that gives me hope moving forward. This time last year, I wouldn't have believed I'd be where I'm at today. By that logic, a year from today I'll have been further than I could have imagined right now. I'll try to remember that when the going gets tough."
Aryana loves art, writing, and music. She is currently studying English and Arts, pursuing her bachelor's degree while seeking an MFA in Creative Writing. She hopes to write about her unique experience transitioning in a particularly dangerous environment and living to tell the tale.
"Gender-affirming care is equivalent to me being myself: my best self. Aligning my outward appearance with my inward identity harmonizes me with myself, and like two notes resonating at the same frequency, they resonate together and amplify each other!"
Aryana's timeline
-
Award Granted
April 4, 2024
Aryana was awarded a grant toward permanent hair removal!
-
Care Received
April 10, 2024
A payment has been made toward Aryana's permanent hair removal!
-
Care Received
May 20, 2024
A payment has been made toward Aryana's permanent hair removal!
-
Update
June 23, 2024
Aryana shared, "I'm comfortable in my own skin! My quality of life is steadily improving. My skin is great and people ask what's my secret! I feel more confident in myself. I'm able to love myself more. I get the significance of pride, the Point of Pride!
I can endure sweat and water... which might sound weird but that is such an important part of normal life that I used to avoid. I'm now working part time at a yoga studio and sweating through intense group workouts. I'm able to practice fitness in publicly and in groups, which encourages me to exercise regularly and that relieves a ton of stress and anxiety and is such an critical component of my self-care routines and general well-being. I'm able to take care of myself and be comfortable in my own skin, smooth and softly, through sweat and water! And I just swam in the ocean for the first time in longer than I can remember! People say I’m glowing!"
-
Care Received
June 24, 2024
A payment has been made toward Aryana's permanent hair removal!
-
Update
August 12, 2024
Aryana was able to obtain FFS, covered through her insurance. -
Care Received
August 30, 2024
A payment has been made toward Aryana's permanent hair removal!
Grant details
$4,000 towards gender-affirming care.
TikTok-a-Thon granteeDonate
Help us support more people like Aryana get the care they need and deserve.
About Hair Removal: Femme Award
On average, it costs $2,300+ for Aryana'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.