Meet Zoe
Zoe's story
Electrolysis Support Fund recipient
Zoe (she/her) is a trans woman and single parent from Ohio currently experiencing employment and housing insecurity. In her application, she shared her struggles of being terminated from her career after 5 years of employment.
For the last year, she and her two children are currently living with her sister and “surviving on the good will of others” after Zoe’s wife passed away. Zoe writes, “My wife was the only person who I’d shared my feeling of gender incongruence with. When she passed, I had a choice: return to the closet, or start to face my feelings.” Zoe chose to live her truth. Facial hair has been her biggest source of dysphoria, however, and she is eager to begin laser hair removal treatments again.
Zoe's timeline
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Award Granted
June 11, 2020
Zoe was awarded a grant toward permanent hair removal!
Grant details
$1,000 towards gender-affirming care.
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Help us support more people like Zoe get the care they need and deserve.
About Hair Removal: Femme Award
On average, it costs $2,300+ for Zoe'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.