Meet Vesper

Vesper (he/they) is a resilient and determined transmasc individual who has faced significant financial and environmental barriers to accessing gender-affirming care. Growing up in a rural town with limited job opportunities and an unwelcoming climate for LGBTQ+ individuals, Vesper’s family has struggled to make ends meet. Despite these challenges, they have worked tirelessly to pursue top surgery—a necessity for their well-being. “For the past five years, my family could only afford to buy me one binder a year, and even my testosterone has to be paid for out-of-pocket.”

Vesper and their family have done everything they can to raise money for surgery, setting up a GoFundMe and saving what little they can, but much of it has gone toward necessary expenses like travel for consultations and legal fees for a name change. On top of these struggles, Vesper and their family are attempting to sell their home to move to a more supportive state, but with a house value of only $35,000, the majority of the money will need to go toward relocation costs rather than surgery.

Through it all, Vesper remains hopeful about their future. They are passionate about science, creativity, and learning about different cultures, with dreams of becoming a plant scientist who works in the field and experiences nature firsthand. “Growing up, I never wanted to be someone in history books, but I always knew I didn’t want to be part of the norm. My mom always told me it was okay to be different, and I’ve spent my life searching for the version of myself that I can be proud of.” With this surgery, Vesper will be one step closer to fully embracing that version of themselves and continuing their journey with confidence.