My name is Mac, and I am a statistical anomaly. Within the first week of my freshman year of college, I realized I was transgender. For a brief period, the sense of liberation that came with using a different name and different pronouns overshadowed the looming threat of social rejection. Not long after I bought my very first binder, the reality of my situation set in. The rejection I faced for being trans, combined with my own pre-existing mental health issues, caused my overall health to plummet. I lost my family’s financial support and was instantly thrown into debt. I saw no point in … [Read more...]

Born in Miami, Florida, Hope Giselle (founder of the HopeDisguised Project and #Allowme movement) began her journey into the world of theater at an early age. Attending the first and only magnet elementary and middle schools Miami had to offer (Charles R. Drew magnet school for the performing arts). Hope heavily involved herself in the arts of Dance and Theatre. Then attending Miami Senior High School not only to continue her studies in theatre but seek to master it! She won superior rankings in Florida regional and state competition her senior year and graduated top 10% of her … [Read more...]

As far back as I can remember, I refused to wear girl clothes. When I hit puberty I really felt that I was ‘different’. In school, especially high school, I was bullied because of my appearance. I never knew much about transitioning or that it was even a possibility. In 2005, I started to understand more about transgender issues after listening to a guest speaker and viewing photos of different stages of transitioning. In 2007, I knew for certain I needed to transition. My first step was getting a binder since my top has always been my biggest source of dysphoria. I struggled being honest with … [Read more...]

I had decided that being a girl was just what I was going to have to do. I never thought that I would be able to live my truth. I never thought that life would make sense and I would see a light at the end of the tunnel of not feeling comfortable in a body that I’ve been born in. I’ve always said that I was grateful for being and experiencing womanhood, it made me appreciate the woman that much more, however it just wasn’t for me. I’ll forever be thankful to those who came before me for simply showing me another way, something I knew deep down was possible. After 20 years, I’d decided to … [Read more...]

Anonymous, Chest Reconstruction (JCF does not require any grant recipient to share their story as we are sensitive to privacy and safety of all members of our community).  We would like to extend our deep gratitude to Dr. Kathy Rumer for generously offering pro-bono services for this procedure. … [Read more...]

Angie is a passionate and driven LGBTQ activist hailing from New York City. Angie is a proud alumni of the nation's first accredited LGBTQ high school, Harvey Milk High School. She's appeared on several television shows and networks, such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, MSNBC and America's Next Top Model, in an effort to further educate the world on the issues that plague the LGBTQ community. Angie feels extraordinarily blessed and thankful to have been awarded the Jim Collins Foundation grant out of hundreds of applicants. After feeling so disconnected with her body her entire life, she now knows … [Read more...]