Dan Grubb, California, was selected for a Founders’ grant for gender affirming surgery with Dr. Alexander Facque, California. When asked about the meaningfulness of receiving a grant from the Jim Collins Foundation, Dan stated, “I know now that I will be able to see my reflection, I will live longer, and I will be able to share myself with others in the way that I've always wanted to. I am closer to finding comfort and actualizing the presentation of self I have always seen into in my physical reality. I now know these things are possible because I received the JCF grant.” … [Read more...]
Maddie
Maddie [last name withheld], Minnesota, was selected for a Founders’ grant for gender affirming surgery with Dr. Bryan Rolfes. When asked about being transgender and pursuing gender transition, Maddie stated, “Being transgender can sometimes mean waiting a lifetime to finally feel comfortable in your own skin. I came out in my early 30s and wanted to move my transition as fast as possible and make up for so many lost years. However, the cost of gender-affirming surgery meant that my transition slowed to a crawl. Receiving this grant from the Jim Collins foundation for facial feminization … [Read more...]
Andrew Williams
Andrew Williams, Florida, was selected to receive a Krysallis Anne Hembrough Legacy grant for gender affirming surgery with Dr. Thomas Fiala, Florida. When Andrew was asked to reflect on his journey toward gender affirming surgery, he stated, “While writing this statement, I began to think about the person I was when I applied for the grant. I felt like the whole world was against me and I was just desperately trying to grab for any sort of help I could get. I remember feeling like there was such a tiny chance of receiving a grant and so, so many other trans people in need that I did not know … [Read more...]
Tina Tinyton
Tina Tinyton [pseudonym], Michigan, was selected to receive a Founders’ grant for gender affirming surgery with Dr. Christine McGinn, Pennsylvania. When asked about their interests and experience as a transgender individual, Tina stated, “I enjoy reading about Astrophysics, Nature, and about new research and innovations in technology. I often hang out with my friends, play D&D and video games together, as well as be part of the social support structure with them. I spend a lot of my time helping people understand Transgender HRT. Receiving the JCF grant is an opportunity for surgery that I … [Read more...]
Kim
Kim, Florida, received a Krysallis Anne Hembrough Legacy grant for gender affirming surgery with Dr. Lenny Roudner, Florida. When asked about receiving this grant from the Jim Collins Foundation, Kim stated, “I am forever grateful that the Jim Collins Foundation has helped me on my journey. Society has seen the Overton Window shift in the last few years to favor the acceptance of transgender individuals in the US. Additionally, science, nature, and medicine have unequivocally affirmed that transgender individuals are valid. I am proud to be part of a new generation of openly transgender … [Read more...]
Danny
Danny [pseudonym], Illinois, was selected for a Founders’ grant for gender affirming surgery with Dr. Sidhbh Gallagher, Florida. Speaking about his journey, “This past year I watched, terrified for my own life, as fellow black people were murdered. I lost my job due to COVID and dipped into what little I had in my savings for surgery just to survive. Life felt bleak as the country rioted and fought over whether black lives, my life, mattered. During the initial lockdown, I looked at my wife and told her that I did not think I was meant to have surgery. That same day, I found the Jim Collins … [Read more...]
KC [pseudonym]
KC [pseudonym], North Carolina, was selected to receive a Founders’ grant for gender affirming surgery with Dr. Hope Sherie, North Carolina. When asked about their life as a transgender person, they stated, “As a Division I college coach in a women’s sport, I look to inspire and empower my athletes; encouraging them to be the best they can be in their truest form. My career is as equally fulfilling as it is financially thankless. But nonetheless, I would not want any other career; this is my passion. While I am coaching unapologetically myself, there is still that small barrier of confidence … [Read more...]
2020 Founders’ Fund Grant Recipient – Rae
I remember when I received the call from the Jim Collins Foundation. I remember sitting in my car and crying my eyes out, calling my closest people to share the good news. I remember all twenty-eight years of my life replaying in my head as I reflected on the fact that I was finally here. Although I’ve desired surgery since childhood, it always felt like more of an unattainable dream than an actual event that I would get to experience. The Jim Collins Foundation changed that for me. Winning this scholarship made every previous defeat feel worth it. It made my five-year transition journey … [Read more...]
2020 Founders’ Fund Grant Recipient – Kaileb
I have a strange fondness for my story, when I realized that I was transgender. I was around 12 or 13. I have always had a powerful love for reading – and funnily enough that’s how I learned who I am. Reading a story online, I left a comment, “Sometimes I feel like I’m a gay guy stuck in a girl’s body.” It was a strange statement, so I decided to research if it was a thing. The term ‘transgender’ popped up, and the definition hit me hard. That was it! In elementary school, I wore dresses every day. Even though it interfered during recess, I did it because I thought that’s what girls were … [Read more...]
2020 Founder’s Fund Grant Recipient – Avery
Thank you seems like such an inadequate way to express my gratitude towards the Jim Collins Foundation. The transgender community is fortunate to have the Jim Collins Foundation. Something like this is a dream come true and will improve my quality of life in ways I can’t even imagine. Amidst so much uncertainty in the world, this peace of mind has been invaluable. I’m looking forward to giving back to my community and this foundation so that I can be a part of someone else experiencing this transformative opportunity. I am humbled that my story and my needs have been seen by such a … [Read more...]
2020 Founders’ Fund Grant Recipient – Wyatt
For as long as I could remember I have dreamed of one day having top surgery, and it is finally going to happen! For this amazing foundation to help individuals like me to be able to achieve their dreams is indescribable. I have tried for years to achieve my own dream, from working multiple jobs to performing at local bars to raise money, and yet I have always come up short. Living in a body that doesn’t feel like your own is frustrating, scary, and extremely depressing. Receiving this grant feels like I am finally getting a chance to live my life in my true body. It means going on family … [Read more...]
2020 Hembrough Fund Grant Recipient – Darcy
Growing up, sexuality and gender wasn’t something I thought about. In fact, I made sure I never thought about it. My Catholic upbringing meant I was deathly afraid of sin, and I thought being anything but cis and straight was a one-way ticket to hell. I was determined to be as “holy” as I could be, and being queer wasn’t a part of that plan. When my faith faded away at the end of high school, I realized I was free to explore my identity in a way I hadn’t before. I didn’t have to police my own thoughts. Looking back, I’m almost surprised at how headfirst I dove into the queer community. Within … [Read more...]