The Microgrants Program and Inside Advocacy Program are paused until further notice, as we are unable to distribute microgrants at this time. Trans Lifeline is experiencing a period of financial uncertainty that has forced us to reduce the size and scope of our organization and temporarily pause some of our direct service programs. We are very hopeful that we will be able to resume distributing microgrants once we’ve had the chance to reassess the financial stability of the organization. You can read more about the circumstances that led to this decision here. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.
Provides funding for electrolysis, laser hair removal, or other forms of permanent hair removal.
This Microgrant is for anyone who experiences transmisogyny (the specific oppression towards people perceived as trans feminine). This includes trans women, trans femmes, Two Spirit people, and trans & gender non-conforming people who were assigned/assumed male at birth—but is not limited to these labels!
Facial and body hair are common sources of dysphoria and increase the likelihood of street harassment and violence. Despite the evident health benefits of these procedures, permanent hair removal is only covered by 5% of health insurance plans, meaning that many trans folks cannot access the care they need. This is particularly true for Black trans women and trans femmes, as they are more likely to suffer from the combined toll of structural anti-Blackness, misogyny, and transphobia—also known as transmisogynoir. These structural barriers are part of why Black trans folks are at much higher risk for crisis and suicidality.
Removing barriers to care, like medical expenses and debt, is essential to save trans lives. Because of this, Trans Lifeline is now offering our Gender-Affirming Hair Removal microgrant to make it easier for our siblings who experience transmisogyny—especially those who experience transmisogynoir—to access the care they need.
Details:
- One-time $1,500 microgrant
- The first application cycles opened on June 1st, 2023 and closed on June 14th, 2023
- Two application cycles in 2023; exact dates of 2nd cycle TBD
- 60% of these Microgrants are reserved for Black applicants; 30% for non-Black applicants of color; 10% for white applicants
- Lottery system (applicants selected randomly from each racial identity pool)
- 90 grants were distributed in the first cycle
Eligibility:
- Identify as someone who experiences transmisogyny (the specific oppression directed towards people perceived as trans feminine)
- This includes trans women, trans femmes, Two Spirit people, and trans & gender non-conforming people who were assigned/assumed male at birth – but is not limited to these labels!
- Be a resident of the U.S. or U.S. territories
How to apply:
- The application will live at the top of this page when it is open.
- Sign up for email reminders to get updates
We are not able to offer assistance for:
- Other medical costs
- Non-U.S. residents
Frequently Asked Questions
The Gender-Affirming Hair Removal microgrants are intended for people who experience transmisogyny: the specific oppression directed towards people perceived as trans feminine. This includes trans women, trans femmes, Two Spirit people, and trans & gender non-conforming people who were assigned/assumed male at birth—but is not limited to these labels!
Electrolysis and laser hair removal are the most common forms of permanent gender-affirming hair removal, but as long as the applicant is someone who experiences transmisogyny, any form of hair removal that is permanent and for gender affirmation falls within the scope of is covered by this microgrant.
Not at all! Unlike most insurance companies, this microgrant leaves it up to you to decide what is gender-affirming. We will not be in contact with your provider.
The first 2023 cycle of this application was open from the 1st of June to the 14th of June. The second cycle will be announced soon.
The application will live at the top of this page. Click here to sign up for updates on current and future microgrants.
We distributed 90 grants in the first cycle. 54 went to Black folks, 27 to non-Black people of color, and 9 to white folks.
We will send the funds either by check in the mail or ACH (which is like a direct deposit straight to your bank). If neither of those options works for you, we will speak with you to problem solve. We cannot send you your microgrant via Paypal, Venmo, or CashApp.
We trust our community’s ability to self-identify when it comes to gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, and ability.
By day 15th of the month after the application cycle ends.
Our Gender-Affirming Hair Removal Microgrants are available to anyone regardless of citizenship status or geographic location, but at this time, they are only available to folks located in the U.S. or U.S. territories.
We offer these grants to trans minors, but it is worth knowing that parental/guardian consent is often required in order for trans minors to receive hair removal procedures like electrolysis or laser. While Microgrants cannot guarantee that you’ll receive the gender-affirming treatment you need and deserve, please apply if you believe this is a procedure you’ll reasonably be able to pursue.
Microgrant applications and information are kept confidential. Staff and volunteers will not share their personal contact information with microgrant recipients.
Trans Lifeline is committed to combating racism, white supremacy, anti-Blackness, anti-Indigeneity, xenophobia, ableism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, ageism, classism, and other oppressive structures.
Trans Lifeline does not tolerate harassment, bigoted commentary, verbal abuse, or debates on issues affecting our communities. Any applicant abusing staff, volunteers, or the program will not receive a microgrant and will be blocked from applying for funds.
Yes! You can find our equity policy here.
Have a question we didn’t answer? Contact us.