want to help support someone’s journey?
What is gender-affirming care?
Gender-affirming care is life-saving healthcare that encompasses mental health services, medical care, and social services. Everyone’s gender-affirming journey can look different. Some people may only change their name and pronouns, a social transition, and others may want gender-affirming surgery and/or hormones, or to medically transition.
Why is it so important?
A study conducted by Stanford University School of Medicine found that providing gender-affirming care in adolescence correlates to better mental health than waiting for that care in adulthood. In this 2022 study, out of 21,598 transgender adults who wanted hormone therapy, only 41% received it and only 2.3% had access to it in adolescence. In these same adults, access to hormone therapy in early adolescence reduced their suicidal thinking by 60% and by 50% in late adolescence. Severe psychological distress was reduced by 222% for those who began hormones in their early adolescence, by 153% for late adolescence, and by 81% for those in adulthood.
How can I help someone get care?
While gender-affirming care is proven to better the mental health of those receiving it, access to it is limited. As of mid-2023, 30.9% of transgender youth in America live in states that have banned gender-affirming care. An additional 13.2% of these youth are at risk of losing access to this care. The 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in the U.S. do not just affect transgender youth. These bills also limit access for adults, such as Florida’s Senate Bill 254 that prohibits nurse practitioners from providing gender-affirming care when 80% of transgender adults receive their care from nurse practitioners. These legal limitations are not the only barriers for transgender people.
The cost of these services is a huge burden in itself. Whether insurance doesn’t cover the cost or if someone has no insurance at all, and the costs of taking work off to recover, or if someone was kicked out of their home at too young of an age to even afford rent, affording gender-affirming care can be one of the hardest hurdles for so many. GoFundMe has been a tool many transgender people turn to in hope that they can raise the necessary funds for their life-saving care. Too often people have to keep pushing back receiving their care due to not meeting their financial goals in time. As we know, the sooner people have access to this care, the better. The purpose of this page is to have an easily accessible list of GoFundMe’s where anyone wanting to support someone else’s journey can find so many deserving people. It takes a village, so consider today being a part of someone’s village.
people in need of support…
Below you can find stories from transgender people in need of many different forms of support. By clicking on their images, you will be directed to a page to donate directly to their causes. Everyone’s story is unique and valid. Whether you are requesting financial support with gender-affirming care and surgeries or financial support with bills, Bornwear is here to help provide you with direct community care. Please email info@bornwear.co if you would like your cause to be added to our website.
Hi ! My name is Ian Milano. I’m 25 years old and originally from Southern California. Ever since coming out as trans in my teens, I’ve been financially independent and have had to rely on my friends and community for gender affirmation. I currently work a minimum wage job in San Francisco, where I moved a little over a year ago after spending three years in New York City working freelance jobs in film and television production. After years without health insurance, I was finally able to apply for top surgery this year and only just received the news that my surgery date will be this April, much earlier than anticipated. Even though I now have an insurance plan through my employer, the plan will not be able to cover a large portion of the surgeon fees or the anesthesiology and pathology fees. While the earlier surgery date is exciting, it also means I will need to front the cost of the surgery ($6,625 out-of-pocket for the surgeon fees alone) in a much shorter amount of time. In order to keep my surgery date, I urgently need to raise enough funds to first cover these out-of-pocket medical fees, and use any remaining funds for rent and food during the month-long recovery period. I appreciate anything anyone is able to donate and it would mean the world to me. I know most people in their 20s living in any big city face financial hardship, so consider sharing my gofundme with any financially stable adults in your life. It feels extremely out of my comfort zone to ask people for help, but I’ve been waiting to get this gender affirming surgery for seven years and finally feel secure enough in my living situation and support system to make it happen. Needless to say I am beyond ready to experience what it's like be perceived accurately, and the decline in anxiety that I know will follow.
Donation protected Siamo Gabriela ed Alice e abbiamo deciso di aprire una raccolta fondi per aiutare il nostro amico Alex, che sta intraprendendo il suo percorso di affermazione di genere. Si tratta di un percorso essenziale per il suo benessere psicofisico presente e futuro che però, in Italia, ha un iter molto lungo e presenta diversi ostacoli dal punto di vista economico: le spese mediche, legali e psicologiche legate alla transizione, infatti, sono elevate e spesso non sono coperte dal sistema sanitario.
hi! i’m casey (they/he) i am a non-binary poc that could really use some help getting life changing gender affirming care. i had been on testosterone for three years but unfortunately lost my health insurance in january and had to go off of hrt. my chest dysphoria is one of the things that affect me the most day to day and being able to get top surgery would change everything for me! being on testosterone was the first time i felt at home and i miss that feeling. living in florida and not consistently passing is a huge safety concern for me as well, i have already experienced discrimination for being trans while living in florida and i feel very unsafe in my day to day life. i currently live pay check to pay check and for years this has seemed like an impossible dream, i would be so appreciative of any sort of help to make this real for me
“I have been trying to save up for top surgery for a little over half a year now but i’m finding it hard to save money while being able to pay for rent and all of my other bills. This was truly my last resort as asking for money is the last thing I want to do but it would mean a lot if anyone could help me reach my goal. Even just sharing is enough, thank you so much for reading my story. ”
“As you may or may-not know, Insurance does not typically cover gender-affirming surgeries, so it is a lot of money out of your pocket. The issue is…I don’t have that kind of pocket money. That’s where I need the help!”
“I understand some of you may say why can't you just keep living as you have been for last 26 years and my answer to that is imagine having a really uncomfortable itchy jumper on but you can't take it off for 26 years but it's not just uncomfortable it's makes you hate your body to the point you can't bear to look at it and nothing you do makes it better but not just that it makes you sad and anxious and sometimes angry.”
“I have a just giving page which is what I ise for streaming to get money together for top surgery.... I live in the UK and having to go private as the nhs has a six year waiting list for medical. I haven't had my first appointment with them, I've had to go private and get my diagnosis, I have been on t 7 months now, and my body is getting bad dysphoria!?”
“Hello, I’m Leo. And I am a trans man in Florida. I’ve been trans for quite awhile now and I have always been just uncomfortable with my body. I experience a lot of chest dysphoria (discomfort surrounding my chest) and having the funds for top surgery is going to help out so much.”
Oliver’s CashApp: CrisH8392 or Venmo: CrisH92 “My name is Oliver I have been on T for about a year and a half but I'm still struggling to save enough money to get top surgery and any help would be greatly appreciated. A little about myself I'm 30 almost 31 in less then a month Aug 3. I came out as a Trans man about 3 years ago and haven't looked back. I work as a daycare worker and some of the things I like to do for fun is go to the zoo and go on hikes or camping I also enjoy photography.”
“Hi, I’m tyler. I’m 21, wanting to get top surgery! My consult is in March 2025, I have wanted top surgery for as long as I can remember, I finally started testosterone at the end of 2022. This is my next step in becoming who I see myself as, a man. I’m living paycheck to paycheck, Anything will help! I will be extremely grateful!! I will be getting health insurance so that will cover a bit of the cost, I will be saving as much as I can as well! ”
“Hello my name is Noah I’m 20 and I’m starting this gofundme to try and reach my financial goal to finally get top surgery! I’ve been transitioning since 2018 &struggle so much with my chest dysphoria this past year. Anything and everything helps I love and appreciate all the love and support through my journey”
“Hey, my name is Emerson and I was approved for FTM top surgery on July 17th. Getting top surgery will be a major life changing moment. It will free me from the bounds of a binder and baggy shirts. It’ll be a step in the direction to help me live authentically me. I ask that my friends and family assist me with the financial burden of surgery and support me on my transition journey. Thank you!!!”
“I’m looking to fundraise for the costs associated with top surgery since I will be paying around $10k-$12k. The funds themselves will go towards medical bills associated with the surgery, aftercare items, and to help me pay my rent during the 2-3 week recovery time.It’s taken a lot to get where I am now and I would be forever appreciative for the donations and help to getting me to a happier, more comfortable life. ”
“Hello! My name is Logan and I am a 25-year-old transgender man in Georgia trying to crowdfund for top surgery to alleviate my dysphoria! Any donations will go towards a fund to help me raise the money needed for this surgery, which will go a long way to help me feel more at home and comfortable in my body.”
“Hey, my name is River and I am a trans guy who is hoping to finally become his true self. I am raising money for top surgery and testosterone. Anything helps and I greatly appreciate any and all support.”
“Every donation, no matter the size, brings me one step closer to achieving this essential aspect of my identity. If you find it within your hearts to support my journey, I would be forever grateful. Sharing this campaign with your networks is also immensely appreciated.”
“Hello everyone my name is Daniel! I'm trying to raise money for my upcoming top surgery this year. Any help will be appreciated, thank you in advance!”
Moth’s CashApp: $gaytransmothman “Hi, my name is Moth and I’m a 22 year old gay transgender man. I came out 2 years ago and while I’ve been happy being out I’m constantly feeling like I’m stuck since I haven’t been able to get gender affirming care. I don’t have a gofundme but I do have a cash app and venmo (pictured) and any amount would be appreciated so I can continue my transition. ”
“Desde hace años uso binders debajo de la ropa para comprimir mi pecho y disimularlo porque lo que más quiero en este mundo es tener un pecho plano que se corresponda con el cuerpo con el que me identifico. Además, llevar binders todos los días no es una solución y no hace que desaparezca por completo mi disforia.” “For years I have been using binders under my clothes to compress my chest and hide it because what I want most in this world is to have a flat chest that corresponds to the body with which I identify. Furthermore, wearing binders every day is not a solution and does not make my dysphoria completely disappear.”
“It’s a scary time in this country to be a trans individual, but I’m proud of who I am, who I am aspiring to be, and who I will eventually become once my body matches who I am on the inside. Thank you all for your love and support, always.”
Kody’s CashApp: $kxdy2319 “I've been on Testosterone for almost 2 years and i do live in oklahoma who unfortunately took our rights away to use our insurance for gender affirming care. I luckily get my testosterone through a privately owned company. Now I'm just trying to take this next step towards my freedom. My goal is 10k but I know that's pretty unrealistic. Just to starting up my savings would be an amazing start"
“Hey my name is Kai. I’ve just recently started my transition journey but wanted to get a head start on saving for my top surgery. Anything helps. Thanks for the love and support.”
Jessie’s CashApp: $teenagedirtbag18 “Hello, my name is Jessie I’ve been trying to get on hormone’s for a long time I don’t have a go fund me but I do have a cash app the tag is $teenagedirtbag18. I’ve been out for 12 years now and it’s my dream to start hormones soon and have both surgeries”
“I desperately want to see my son happy & watching his suffering is very hard as a mother. Please help if you can. Anything helps! We are so grateful to anyone who is willing to contribute to my son's health & well being. Thank you so much! Have a blessed day!”
“Hi , my name is Oliver . My chest has always been on of my main dysphoria points, and every day it continues to get worse and worse. It’s a never ending battle with myself everyday mainly because of my chest. So I’m looking to get top surgery by the end of this year and anything helps.”
“Hi my name is Novaii, i’m 22 years old and i’m a trans and queer man/demiboy (pronouns are he/they/it) from The Netherlands. I started this fundraiser because i can finally start the process of getting gender related health care. However to make this happen I could use some support.”
“Hey everyone! I had the amazing opportunity to complete my top surgery back in August. Unfortunately there was some out of pocket charges as well as me being laid off right before it. This gofundme is to help me recover from that debt as well as help me start my journey with testosterone which has been postponed due to financial struggles.”
“Hi, I'm Robin and I'm trying to save up for my top surgery. My goal is to raise enough money to be able to get the surgery by next summer which is way sooner than it seems. I would also like to have the money for a consultation as soon as possible!.”
“Ever since Theo came out as Trans and has been able to be his true self, I have seen nothing but positive changes in him. His mental and physical health is continuing to improve as he works on his career and relationships with a new level of happiness and motivation, I had never seen in the last 15 years of knowing him.”
“Out of many, my main reason for top surgery is that I finally want to have that satisfaction with myself of feeling comfortable around myself and in public without having to feel so self-conscious about how I'm physically presenting. Getting top surgery will feel relieving and knowing I don't have that pressure on myself, gives me that sense of freedom with my own body and how I express my person.”
Mike’s Venmo @Mike-Bocaranda “I am a 31-year-old FTM that has been looking to get top surgery for a long time, always watching friends of mine go through it and coming out happier than ever. I’ve wanted this my whole life. but, unfortunately I don’t have enough funds to cover it. I am looking to get peri areolar top surgery done in Thousand Oaks. Anything you can do would be greatly appreciated”