SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4 News) – Genderbands, a national not-for-profit based in Utah, is celebrating its sixth anniversary. The organization helps transgender people overcome the financial challenges and barriers that exist for gender-affirming trials.
The idea, birth and development of the organization came in March 2015 when its managing director Ian Giles raised funds for their top operation. They started selling bracelets, buttons, and shirts with various catchy messages like “pizza rolls, no gender roles” and “hearts, no parts”. Three months later, it expanded its efforts and restructured it into its current state.
Orem Nonprofit helps transgender people pay for sex confirmation surgery
Giles said the transition process can be very costly. For example, a top surgery can range from $ 4,500 to $ 12,000 before incurring additional costs for anesthesia, time off at work, travel, and more. Kimberly Anderson, a family and marriage therapist at Flourish Therapy, said trans people who cannot afford surgery are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and suicide. They are also more prone to eating disorders and self-harm due to a desperate need to control their bodies.
Support for our trans community
Giles said that in addition to providing grants for top surgeries, the organization runs a binder program and plans to provide micro-grants for new clothes to trans people during and after the transition. The state’s first and only Trans Pride Festival is also held in Genderbands. To date, the nonprofit has made 23 grants totaling $ 91,000. Aidan Castro was one of them, describing the feeling of a renewed sense of trust and happiness after being able to get the procedure he needed.
The Pride Festival sheds light on the transgender community in Utah
However, gender bands felt the brutal effects of the COVID-19 pandemic like many other organizations. It usually relies on in-person events like the Pride Festival, where a portion of the proceeds from the goods sold are used to fund its grants. However, she lost that income method after government and health experts cracked down on large gatherings last year, which also led to her difficult decision to cancel the annual gala last March.
The Utah Trans Pride Festival goes virtual
To fill this gap in the budget, the nonprofit is holding a fundraiser this month. Giles said her goal is to reach $ 6,000 before March 31, and encouraged the public to consider donating $ 6 for her sixth birthday. Click here to contribute to the fundraiser.
Giles, Anderson, and Castro caught up with Rosie Nguyen of ABC4 at 7 p.m. on the CW30 news for an IN FOCUS discussion about the organization, the needs of our transgender community, and the life-saving impact gender-affirming procedures can have on these people.
Catch the IN FOCUS discussion with Rosie Nguyen of ABC4 on the 7pm CW30 news
Rosie Nguyen is an award-winning journalist who joined the ABC4 News team as a reporter in January 2018. In September 2020 at 7 p.m. she started a new journey as an anchor for the CW30 News. She continues her passion for social justice and community issues through the nightly In Focus discussions.
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