I'm a 26-year-old transgender man. I came out as transgender in high school, after struggling for years with an intense discomfort in my body. While other kids were dreaming about being doctors or astronauts, I simply dreamed of being comfortable in my own skin.
Accessing hormone therapy and gender-confirming surgeries was absolutely essential to my transition. It eliminated my inner dysphoria and allowed me to focus outward to my calling to become a high school science teacher. Every day, I stand tall and teach my students with confidence and excitement. When I teach, I feel like I am sharing the best of myself with my students. I wouldn't be able to teach without the services that I got because of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
This isn’t politics. It’s personal.
We’re having a rally on Sunday, July 9th at 2 p.m. to tell Senator Cory Gardner to vote against the life-threatening ACA repeal bill. Will you join us?
Over the last ten years, my transition-related medical bills have totaled around $50,000 and I will have ongoing expenses for hormone therapy for the rest of my life.
The new, proposed health care bill waives critical protections, allows insurance companies to discriminate based on pre-existing conditions, and reinstates annual and lifetime caps to coverage. It allows insurance companies to deny me coverage for being transgender. I will accrue massive debt because my lifetime health costs are so high.
This ACA repeal bill will keep us from living our lives. Please join me at the state capitol on Sunday, July 9th at 2 p.m. to stop this bill from passing. See you there!
