27-06-2025
The Hidden Financial Side Of Gender Transition
If you're a longtime BuzzFeed reader, you might recognize the handsome face of Ash Perez. Ash was making videos with us back in the golden age of BuzzFeed, alongside folks like Quinta Brunson. Now, after coming out as trans in 2023, he's working on a series with the Try Guys called New Guy Tries, all about exploring his masculinity.
Recently, Ash stopped by Financial Feminist Podcast, hosted by Tori Dunlap, to talk about the costs of his transition. In the episode description, Tori wrote, "This is a great episode if you've ever been curious about the experience of your trans friends and neighbors, especially if you've wondered how to be a better ally to their community."
One part of their conversation is taking off online, where Ash gets into all the costs that have gone into his transition. Here's what he had to say:
First, Ash shared that he enrolled in gender therapy to explore his identity. "I was paying, I think, $350 out of pocket for that, for one session."
He also had top surgery and got his eggs frozen as part of his transition in case he wants to have kids someday. Ash shared that he spends about $20 a month on testosterone.
According to a 2022 study in The Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics, the cost of gender affirming surgery can range from around $7,000 to $63,000, depending on the procedure. In the US, health insurance plans that get federal funding are required to cover gender affirming care, but how much is covered (and how challenging it is to get) can vary widely depending on each individual's plan and location. Private health insurance plans that don't receive federal funding can opt not to cover this healthcare, despite the fact that the American Medical Association endorses it as essential.
"Then [there's] the cost, again, of taking off work, having someone take care of you," Ash continued. "Finding community, camps. There's amazing resources for trans people, but, like, you pay for those spaces."
Before Trump's executive order requiring documents like passports to reflect gender assigned at birth, Ash also spent $500 updating his documents from female to male.
Then, Ash shared an unexpected cost. "I'm going through fucking puberty again. The amount that I've spent just now on acne care that I thought I was fucking done with is been monstrous."
He also needed a whole new wardrobe as he transitioned. "The first is changing your style. And then on testosterone. I'm literally growing."
Tori chimed in to point out that Ash lives in Los Angeles, and Ash replied, "What if you're in Kentucky? And by the way, if you're trans in Kentucky, you probably don't have the doctors that I have access to, so you're gonna fly for surgery. I would say probably over 50% of trans people have to fly to get the care that they need."
Finally, Ash estimated that he's spent at least $15,000 on his transition so far. He further summed it up by saying his transition has included many costs, some expected, some surprising, and some truly heartbreaking, like the cost of facing discrimination. "It's not just what you're spending. It's what you're not earning."
In the comments, more people shared what they've spent on their transition:
And opened up about some of the hidden costs:
Seeing the costs laid out like this is a peek into the trans experience that we don't often get to see in media, and I'm so glad that Ash opened up about this side of his journey. Understanding the financial impact involved in transitioning really goes to show how much it means to the people who are on this path, because it's such a big commitment to take on.
Can you relate? If you feel comfortable, share what you've spent on gender-affirming care in the comments!
Looking for more LGBTQ+ or Pride content? Then check out all of BuzzFeed's posts celebrating Pride 2025.
