Point of Pride awards $885,850 through 2025 annual Trans Surgery Fund

Point of Pride is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Annual Trans Surgery Fund. Twenty-eight individuals received a total of $885,850 in financial assistance for their gender-affirming surgeries. This funding helps cover the cost of care, bringing essential and often life-saving procedures within reach.

Key statistics from this year’s recipients:

- All 28 recipients have experienced housing insecurity at some point in their lives, with 1 in 3 currently experiencing it.

 - Nearly half of recipients live in states already impacted by—or at high risk for—anti-trans legislation.

- A significant majority of recipients lack access to inclusive health insurance coverage.

 - Many recipients face overlapping barriers, including disability, chronic illness, and caregiving responsibilities.

Three recipients (about 10%) are veterans or active-duty service members—more than double the rate in the applicant pool. Of these, two have been discharged or separated due to their gender, while one remains actively enlisted.

With so many applicants, the selection process is highly competitive. Point of Pride prioritizes individuals who are most at risk of losing access to care altogether, particularly those navigating systemic barriers and rapidly changing policies.

“This year’s applicant pool underscores just how expensive healthcare has become, particularly for specialized and necessary procedures that many trans people rely on,” says Tyler Rodriguez, Director of Programs. “When these financial pressures intersect with systemic challenges, it creates an overwhelming burden that too many in our community are forced to carry alone—but through community support, we’re working to change that.”

“The cost of care is only one piece of what people are navigating right now,” says Abby, Care Coordinator. “Many of our applicants are facing rising medical expenses on top of barriers like insurance denials, long waitlists, or having to travel far from home just to find a qualified provider. Our role goes beyond funding—we’re here to help people move through a system that can feel incredibly overwhelming, and to remind them they don’t have to do it alone.”

Point of Pride will continue to share recipient stories leading up to Trans Day of Visibility on March 31.

The demand for financial assistance continues to grow, and Point of Pride remains committed to helping as many trans individuals as possible. Every donation helps expand access to care.

“So many of the donors who make this work possible are trans people themselves, chipping in what they can,” said Jeff Main, Executive Director and co-founder. “It’s a powerful reminder that our community’s greatest strength isn’t just our resilience—it’s the way we show up for one another, time and time again.”

“What makes this work so meaningful is that so much of it is powered by our own community,” says Aydian Dowling, Chief Advancement Officer. “We see trans people giving what they can, showing up for one another in ways that are both powerful and deeply personal—it’s a reminder that we’re never in this alone.”

Applications for the next funding cycle will be accepted online beginning November 1, 2026.

Point of Pride’s mission is to help trans youth and adults access necessary, life-saving health and wellness services. To date, Point of Pride has awarded $5,452,000 in financial aid and provided gender-affirming support to 30,000 people in all 50 states and around the world.

The Gayly online. 3/25/26 @ 2:45 p.m. CST.