Meet Zoe
Zoe's story
Electrolysis Support Fund recipient
Zoe (she/her) is a 42-year-old Two-Spirit trans woman and disabled veteran. Due to her service, she lives with PTSD and multiple TBIs, resulting in difficulty maintaining employment. While Zoe thankfully has access to stable housing today, she's experienced housing insecurity and discrimination in the past. "Currently, all of my income goes towards housing and medical care that isn't covered by the VA," Zoe shares. "Being able to get electrolysis would literally be the final chapter of my medical transition."
Zoe is an active member of the trans and veteran communities in Cleveland, Ohio. She spends time volunteering with the patients of local surgical teams, assisting in navigating through the process of obtaining gender confirmation surgeries, and helping patients prepare for both pre and post op self care. She is also a combat veteran having served in the infantry during Operation Iraqi Freedom 1 & 2, and assists other veterans in qualifying for veterans benefits, and finding proper medical care, community resources, and mutual aid groups.
Zoe's timeline
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Award Granted
April 4, 2024
Zoe was awarded a grant toward permanent hair removal!
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Care Received
April 15, 2024
A payment has been made toward Zoe's permanent hair removal!
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Update
May 18, 2024
Zoe shared, "Ingrown hairs, and razor burn are getting to be a much lesser occurrence. Also, while we haven’t been able to hit my whole face yet in the 2 sessions I’ve had, we have been able to knock out enough that my beard shadow is much less noticeable to me or anyone else. "
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Care Received
July 23, 2024
A payment has been made toward Zoe's permanent hair removal!
Grant details
$2,000 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.