Meet Ryne

Ryne (she/her) is a 34-year-old trans woman seeking electrolysis hair removal. As the sole income provider for her household, which includes her disabled spouse who has been denied disability benefits, Ryne lives paycheck-to-paycheck. This financial strain makes it incredibly challenging to afford hair removal services.

A digital artist and aspiring writer, Ryne is also an avid gamer. She has a history of raising money for various charities through livestream fundraising, including contributing to the construction of a new school for the children of Ojwando, Kenya. Despite her generosity and community spirit, Ryne faces significant challenges in her daily life.

Living in a socially conservative town that is not particularly friendly toward LGBTQIA+ individuals, Ryne experiences constant fear and apprehension when she goes out, even for simple tasks like grocery shopping. "I experience a lot of fear and apprehension when I go out, even for something as simple as getting groceries," she shares. Reflecting on what access to electrolysis would mean for her, Ryne expressed, "Being able to take one more step toward presenting my true self and not having to worry about stubble would make me feel so much safer and more confident." Her determination and resilience highlight the critical need for gender-affirming care in creating a safer and more confident future for herself.