OutFront is out front— launching Gender-Affirming Care Fund during “Trans Out Loud!” event
During a powerful evening of poetry, music, and storytelling, OutFront Kalamazoo launched the Gender-Affirming Care Fund, a community-driven initiative to expand access to life-saving healthcare for trans and nonbinary residents of Kalamazoo County.
Second Wave Media | by Casey Grooten
Published September 9, 2025
KALAMAZOO, MI —On August 30th, the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership at Kalamazoo College was filled with music, poetry, and deeply personal stories. OutFront Kalamazoo hosted its “Trans Out Loud! Trans History Month Open Mic,” lifting up trans and nonbinary community voices while drawing attention to the polarized cultural attitudes towards often marginalized individuals and history.
OutFront also used the event to set the stage for an announcement of an initiative that could reshape access to essential healthcare for trans residents of Kalamazoo County, the Gender-Affirming Care Fund.
The announcement, made by OutFront Executive Director Christopher Terkos, was met with applause and emotion.
“Gender-affirming care is necessary, life-saving healthcare,” says Terkos. “As barriers to healthcare increase every day across our country, it is up to us as a community to protect our trans siblings in any way we can. The more you donate, the more people we can help.”
Thanks to the generosity of local donors, married couple, Dr. Jack Hopkins and Dr. Karen Hopkins, OutFront Kalamazoo announced it will match every contribution to the fund dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000. This match campaign provides a strong financial foundation for the fund to continue, and a powerful reminder that without community-driven initiatives like these, some of the most vulnerable groups in our community might go without life-saving care.
The historic Gender-Affirming Care Fund, still in its beginning stages, will provide financial assistance for procedures often excluded from traditional insurance coverage, such as laser hair removal, chest procedures, genital reconstruction, facial gender affirming surgeries, voice surgeries, and other medically necessary treatments and operations that affirm a person’s gender identity.
Applications will be reviewed by a committee of up to seven individuals selected for their diverse lived experiences and professional expertise. Once formed, this committee will finalize the fund’s name, guidelines, and distribution process.
OutFront leaders emphasize that the fund is more than financial aid, it is an embodiment of the organization’s mission to create an inclusive, affirming, and equitable community.
Gender-affirmation vital for mental health
A 2022 study published in JAMA Network Open found that transgender and nonbinary youth receiving puberty blockers or hormone therapy had 60% lower odds of depression and 73% lower odds of self-harm or suicidal thoughts over a 12-month span compared to peers who did not receive such care (Department of Epidemiology).
Research consistently shows that access to gender-affirming care dramatically improves mental health outcomes, lowers rates of depression and suicidal ideation, and enhances quality of life for trans and nonbinary individuals. Yet, across the U.S., such care remains under threat from insurance exclusions to legislative bans.
While the announcement of the OutFront fund made headlines across town, the event was a poignant moment in Kalamazoo’s queer history. The whole room became a platform for trans and nonbinary community members to read poetry, reflect on identity, and celebrate not just trans history, but their own personal experiences and discoveries. Even audience members who had not signed up to be a part of the open mic were moved to speak. In fact, there were more unplanned speakers and readers than those who signed up.
One audience member, E., shared: “When I was really young, I used to say that I was part of everything… and then as I’ve grown up, and realized more of my nonbinary and genderqueer perspectives, that is so valid. Don’t be afraid to figure out yourself and be at home in your body. Whatever that means to you.”
E. went on to talk about the power of nature in healing the body and mind. E. expressed that being outside in nature caused them to consider how various plants and animals change and grow with time.
Another speaker, Coco Marie, OutFront’s board secretary, emphasized the importance of visibility. “We’ve always been here. Trans people and nonbinary people have always been around, and I feel like now we just need to show the trans and nonbinary kiddos that we are here… we are finding community, we are still creating art, and trying to thrive. It’s not easy, but we are still finding a way to do it.”
Coco also spoke about very tangible examples of how to show up for trans and nonbinary folks who are just coming into themselves. They mentioned the need for a tailor who is able to help trans and nonbinary individuals modify clothing that was not initially designed for bodies like theirs.
It is undeniable that someone’s art is shaped by the world and the circumstances of their life. It was clear through the prefaces to some of the pieces shared at the event that not only did the performers’ existence shape their pieces, but that they felt it was important to share why with others. Many said the considered it passing down their experiential knowledge to others who may be struggling or considering similar subjects.
OutFront has been out front since 1987
Founded in 1987, OutFront Kalamazoo is the oldest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization in Southwest Michigan. From supporting non-discrimination ordinances to evolving into a resource for community support, OutFront has consistently centered equity, wellness, and justice. OutFront currently has programming focused on youth, whether through mentorship or confidence-building spaces and hangout times.
Housing assistance, connecting individuals experiencing instability with safe, affirming shelter, and numerous other programs, all have helped create and sustain a safe community for queer folks, whether it be the annual PRIDE celebration, workshops and support groups, art programs, or even open mics and performances like Trans Out Loud. The Gender-Affirming Care Fund extends this groundwork by confronting one of the most urgent inequities: access to healthcare that supports wellbeing and dignity.
Terkos underscored the stakes: “We envision a Kalamazoo where trans and non-binary people have seamless access to affirming housing, healthcare, employment, and community spaces, without fear of discrimination or delay. With continued collaboration, bold policy advocacy, and community-driven initiatives like this fund, we believe Kalamazoo can become a model for what true inclusion looks like.”
The open mic also highlighted storytelling’s role in sustaining activism. Heather Sanford, OutFront’s Communications & Advocacy Manager, explained that the event grew from a desire to amplify trans voices during Trans History Month.
“With how loudly this administration is shouting at us, one of the most powerful things we can do is shout back,” Sanford says.
Through poetry, song, and testimony, participants reminded the attendees that despite isolation and moments (days or months) of hopelessness, community storytelling can light hope.
I., a band member from the first open mic slot, summed it up, “As long as you keep looking for those chances to collaborate and get together on a common goal, you’ll always have someone to lean into and something greater than yourself to depend upon.”
Fund applications opening soon
As the Gender-Affirming Care Fund prepares to accept applications, OutFront Kalamazoo is gathering momentum. The matching campaign provides an immediate opportunity: every dollar donated doubles in impact. Long-term, the organization aims to sustain the fund through individual contributions, partnerships, and deepening community investment.
Every speaker from the “Trans Out Loud” event drew attention to the current state for trans folx in our society. Whether or not the disdainful viewpoints are spoken, the group made it clear that the negativity and danger are palpable, and that it weighs down on the community in an extremely harmful way.
Anti-trans laws have measurable, devastating effects. One peer-reviewed study found that states enacting bans on care for minors experienced suicide attempts among transgender and gender-nonconforming teens increase by up to 72% (Health Policy Institute of Ohio).
“Queer activism doesn’t stop at our doors; queer people are everywhere, all the time, and therefore queer activism needs to be happening everywhere, all the time,” says Stanford. “Every time a person or organization takes ownership of what queer activism looks like in their corner, no matter how big or small, we get closer to a vision of Kalamazoo that is not just safe, but celebratory.”
OutFront Kalamazoo invites community members to contribute to the fund and stand in solidarity with trans and nonbinary residents. Donations can be made online: Gender-Affirming Care Fund Donation Link.
For those unable to give financially, attending events like Trans Out Loud, volunteering, or amplifying trans voices in your everyday life are equally powerful acts of care, say organizers. As OutFront’s legacy shows, lasting change comes from active, constant activism.
The Gender-Affirming Care Fund marks a historic moment for Kalamazoo, a community-led initiative started by people who care about people, built on decades of advocacy, and looking ahead to an inclusive future where trans and nonbinary people can access gender-affirming healthcare without fear. Above all, this fund emerges from the community — donors, storytellers, artists, organizers, and neighbors who refuse to let anyone be treated like they don’t exist.
Original Link: https://secondwavemedia.com/outfront-is-out-front-launching-gender-affirming-care-fund-during-trans-out-loud-event/