The Cost of Being Trans No One Talks About with Ash Perez

You might think you know the financial cost of transitioning, but what you’ll hear in this episode will completely reframe how you think about money, identity, and survival. In this episode, I spoke with Ash Perez: a Cuban-Korean-Filipino writer, director, producer, and openly trans man (who you may recognize from ‪@tryguys‬!) who shares what it really takes to live authentically in a world that often doesn’t make room for that authenticity.

From top surgery and hormone therapy to lost job opportunities and acne treatments during a second puberty, Ash gets incredibly honest about the hidden, ongoing expenses of transitioning—and why we need to start thinking about them as necessary, not excessive.

This is one of the most candid and enlightening conversations we’ve ever had on the show. Ash walks us through not only his journey through gender discovery, divorce, grief, and systemic hoops, but also what cisgender allies often get wrong when trying to support trans folks. If you care about queer communities, want to be a better ally, or are just ready to expand your perspective on what financial security and self-acceptance really look like, join us.

In this video:
00:00 Meet Ash Perez
04:21 Discovering and Embracing Trans Identity
07:09 Navigating Relationships and Transition Challenges
11:07 Healthcare and Insurance Hurdles for Trans People
14:54 Financial and Emotional Costs of Transition
23:28 Living as a Trans Man
27:54 The Hidden Costs and Benefits of Transition
40:35 Dealing with Financial Shame
50:46 Supporting Trans and Queer Friends
54:45 Navigating Misgendering and Deadnaming
58:00 Joining ‪@tryguys‬
01:08:47 Finding Trans Joy
01:10:49 Advice for Those Questioning Their Gender Identity

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