Crowdfunding platforms are often used to alleviate medical expenses. But for Black folks, using them can be a double-edged sword.
Daric L. Cottingham has to make a choice: pay her rent or continue gender-affirming care. Soon, she’ll run out of hormone replacement therapy.
Laid off seven months ago, the 28-year-old Black trans woman has seen her gender transition hit a roadblock as medical bills pile up. With no job and limited insurance coverage, she’s turned to crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe to cover the costs of gender-affirming care.
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“I knew that I would rather ask for help,” the Los Angeles-based media professional says. “But that bootstrap mentality in our country makes the whole process of asking for help feel embarrassing, a bit dehumanizing and degrading — I had to put my pride and ego aside. I can’t continue to pursue my gender affirming care if I’m not around.”
#affordablehealthcare #humanrights #GoFundMeIsntEnough