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Friday October 24th, 2025 The Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund was founded in June of 2021 with the belief that every Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender Diverse Iowan should have access to gender-affirming care. They do this by providing small grants to those throughout the state. These grants cover things like transition-specific clothing, makeup, and wigs, Hormone Replacement Therapies, therapy co-pays, doctors visits for gender-affirming care, gender-affirming surgeries, name change fees, and travel expenses to access gender-affirming care out of state . Since its foundation, the ITMAF has dispersed over $300,000 to hundreds of Iowans, many of which were repeat applicants. The ITMAF is a necessary and integral part of supporting Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender Diverse Iowans. Now more than ever . MANY Gender Diverse Iowans lost access to gender-affirming care on July 1st, when Governor Reynolds signed the ban on Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care. According to the bill , mental health counseling for gender dysphoria is still available for those on Medicaid, but we have heard quite a few reports of people having to fight Medicaid to even get this covered. This is why we held this fundraiser. We aren't just words at the Iowa Corridor Queer Network. We quite literally put our money where our mouth was to raise funds for this cause. The night turned out absolutely amazing!! Everyone involved in this show, from the performers to the people who volunteered their time, identify within the transgender umbrella. Performers and volunteers: Dior Valentino - Transgender woman and Drag Queen- Miss Cedar Rapids Icon 2025 Emerald RavenWood - Transgender woman and Drag Queen- Miss Trans Iowa 2023 (as Carmen Love Monroe) Rory RavenWood - Transgender man and Drag King- Mr. Trans Iowa 2023 (as Rory Phoenix Monroe) Electra Switch- Nonbinary Burlesque performer with Bawdy Bawdy Ha Ha Rel of Reldon's Lens - Nonbinary photographer Wyatt - Transgender man- Owner and operator of ICQN Bella- Nonbinary volunteer Dez- Gender diverse/Genderqueer volunteer Dior kicked off the show with a moving performance of Defying Gravity (2024). It was so perfectly fitting and the crowd responded with fevered enthusiasm. It set the tone for what became a wildly successful fundraiser. With each performance the crowd became more and more enthusiastic. During half time of the show, Emerald, Rory, and Wyatt spoke about what it is like to be transgender in the US in 2025. Emerald and Rory spoke on the uneasiness that is present in all spaces, but especially when it comes to a workplace. They both expressed gratitude for their employers and coworkers (many of whom were present for the show) not only for their acceptance, but their support for transgender rights. They also highlighted that they are lucky because their gender presentation matches their gender identity which allows them a bit more safety when it comes to interacting with strangers. Wyatt then spoke about a much different transgender experience. Having come out in August of 2023, Wyatt is very early in his transition. Although it has been two years since he came out, his time on testosterone has been intermittent resulting in him only being on testosterone for a year in total. Wyatt then spoke about the gripping fear that came with the 2024 election. Being so new in his own acceptance and transition, he became scared of everything. Scared he would no longer be able to transition and be his authentic self. Fear about his gender presentation not matching his gender identity and how people would treat him. Fear of public spaces and suddenly becoming VERY aware of everyone around him in a way that he had never been before. Wyatt then implored the crowd to get involved. To be loud, be fiercely supportive, and be the voice for this community that is unable to be heard in the current political climate . In total, $476 was raised for the Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund. By the IMTAF's statistics, that will fund more than two applicants. Funds were sent to the IMTAF on November 6th. With the success of this fundraiser, we are hoping to have an even more successful one in the future! Related articles: ACLU of Iowa Statement on Protections for Transgender Iowans After July 1 Law Change OneIowa Iowa Civil Rights Removal Act Implementation Guide

Being Transgender is not a choice... transitioning is... but what does that look like? Well, it is different for every transgender person. Remember our post about SELF-IDENTIFYING ? No matter how you choose to transition, YOU ARE TRANS ENOUGH! There are so many resources out there regarding transitioning that it can be daunting trying to navigate all of the content available. That's where this post comes in! We have collected many resources (most with input from other transgender people) and put them all here for easy navigation! This post is for educational purposes for individuals 18 years or older ONLY . It is in NO WAY medical advice. Consult with a doctor before seeking any kind of medical transition . Transitioning and Things to Know If you have not talked to a mental health professional about being transgender and visit a Doctor first, they will direct you to meet with a mental health professional prior to prescribing gender affirming care There may be a minimum length time requirement for meeting with the mental health professional and includes a letter of support If you have already been meeting with a mental health professional, then you'll need to get a letter of support from them to bring to your doctor's appointment You must be on Testosterone for a minimum of 6-12 months before you can seek gender affirming surgery. You will also need a letter of support from your therapist and doctor to have gender affirming surgeries. This is in addition to the letter you received to begin your gender affirming care journey. You can petition for this to happen sooner in cases of extreme body dysmorphia Medicaid no longer covers Gender Affirming Care in Iowa. According to the State, you can still get mental health care for Body Dysmorphia , but many Iowans are reporting having difficulties even getting this covered Resources for Care Planned Parenthood University of Iowa LGBTQ+ Clinic There is a long waitlist to get into this clinic Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund Financial assistance for gender affirming care including buying clothing, assisting with the cost of healthcare and prescriptions, and more! Types of Hormone Replacement Therapy Testosterone Cypionate or Testosterone Enanthate Once a week injection For the first year you will be required to have quarterly blood tests to ensure you are at a safe testosterone level Testosterone Gel Daily application Microdosing vs. Full Dosage Many factors contribute to the dosage that will be prescribed to you. A doctor will generally start you on a lower dosage and increase it over time if needed. Those with pre-existing or serious health conditions may only be prescribed a smaller dose (known as microdosing). This means the timeline for changes will be extended beyond the time frame listed below Changes to Expect 1-3 Months Increased amount of skin oil & acne Menstruation can begin to slow in frequency and/or lighten 3-6 Months Voice begins to drop Your voice dropping in tone is the result of it moving from your upper register in your head to your lower register in your chest You may experience what is commonly known as T-throat . This is from your vocal chords thickening and your voice changing. It feels similar to when you have a sore throat from a cold. This will not normally be constant. It will come and go and is usually worse around 24-48 hours after you give yourself your shot Body & facial hair begins developing Hair growth varies wildly person to person. Some experience the full scope of hair growth that an AMAB person going through puberty experiences. Others can experience patchy growth or growth in only certain areas like the legs, back, and butt Menstruation (can) completely halts If your menstruation does not completely halt, a doctor may prescribe you meds to halt this process Clitoris grows and enlarges (bottom growth) Vaginal lining can thin and become drier Body fat redistribution begins Decrease in cheek area and around hips, under arms, and glutes Increases around belly 6-12 Months Muscle mass begins to increase This is the perfect time to begin weight lifting if you'd like to maximize your muscle growth Voice continues to develop and deepen Body & facial hair continues to develop If male pattern baldness runs in your family, being on testosterone can activate these genes and you can experience hair loss Full Changes Timeline Voice- 1-2 years Body & facial hair- 3-5 years Including scalp hair loss Body fat redistribution- 2-5 years Clitoral growth- 1-2 years Muscle mass- 2-5 years Reversible vs. Permanent Changes Reversible- Skin oiliness, body fat redistribution, increased muscle mass, and vaginal dryness Permanent- Body & facial hair growth, hair loss, deepened voice, and clitoral growth Shopping TomboyX Binders Compression bras/tops Underwear Clothing Swimwear Trans Guy Supply Binders Underwear Jocks Packers STP devices Play time (toys) Grooming/selfcare Apparel Accessories gc2b Affirming Apparel Binders Tape Merch Trans Tool Shed Binders Packers Harnesses/Tape Underwear Clothing & Accessories New York Toy Collective Packers & gear STP devices Pumps Play time (toys) Gender Affirming Surgeries (most common) Top Surgery Liposuction incision- almost always used in addition to another surgery type Keyhole incision- ideal for small chested individuals. Small incision on the button of the areola to remove tissue. Can only be used to remove tissue, cannot remove excess skin Circumareolar/periareolar incision - ideal for moderate chest size and good skin elasticity. Incision is made around the edge of the areola to remove the nipple. A slightly larger incision ring is then cut to remove tissue and excess skin. The remaining skin is then pulled tight to reattach the areola and nipple. Occasionally a vertical incision is also needed to remove excess skin Double incision- ideal for large breasted individuals or those with poor skin elasticity. Incisions are made above and below pec muscles to remove tissue and excess skin. The chest skin is then stretched to be sewn back together. Nipples can be removed, resized, and reattached during this surgery Inverted T (anchor) & buttonhole- ideal for varying chest sizes. A vertical incision is made from the bottom of the areola to where the horizontal incision line is. This keeps the nipple/areola attached to nerves and other tissues Disadvantage- because of keeping the nipple and tissues intact, the chest will not be as flat as with other surgery types NOTE- For surgeries that involve removing and reattaching the nipple... many transgender people report having complications with nipple incisions healing. It is becoming more common for those having these type of surgeries to forgo having nipples Bottom Surgery Hysterectomy, oophorectomy and vaginectomy- Patients can have their vaginal canal, uterus, and/or one or both of their ovaries removed Metoidioplasty- A metoidioplasty involves releasing erectile tissue (clitoris), from restraining structures, allowing it to move into a more forward and elevated position. Patients can opt for a urethral lengthening procedure if they would like to be able to urinate while standing up Phalloplasty- This surgery involves the creation of a penis using a tissue flap from the patient’s groin, outer thigh, or forearm NOTE- Many of these procedures, particularly phalloplasty, require multiple stages of surgery for patients to achieve their final results Vocal Lessons https://www.yourlessonsnow.com/ https://www.transvoicelessons.com/ Legal Resources Guide to Changing Legal Identity Documents Lavendar Legal Advocates for Trans Equality Trans Health Project SLRP Transgender Law Center ACLUIA Sources Gender Confirmation Center Types of Top Surgery May Clinic- Masculinizing Hormone Therapy UCSF Transgender Care OneIowa

July 21st, 2025- Cedar Rapids This month's meeting was small, but I am happy to report we did have a new attendee! I hope next month we have even more new attendee's! Our topic this month was all about pronouns. We started off by connecting to last months topic of self-identifying identities. Self-identifying identities also includes self-identifying pronouns. You can't have one without the other. We then discussed a few less common pronouns (ze/zir or ze/hir, xe/xem, and fae/faer). The bulk of our time though, was spent asking questions and then discussing thoughts. Below are what we talked about. Is it ok to ask someone's pronouns? YES! Asking someone's pronouns shows that you are invested in validating their identity and that you care about their comfort. BUT , respect if someone does not want to share their pronouns. This could happen for a few reasons. They do not feel safe with you or the environment. Their pronouns could be deeply personal to them and sharing them is a show of comfort and you may not have reached that comfortability yet. They may not identify with any gender and thus do not identify with any pronouns. What do I do if this happens? How should I refer to the person? Try to use their name as much as possible. We understand this can be difficult, so if you must use pronouns, most within the LGBTQ+ community recommend defaulting to they/them pronouns. What do I do if I mess up? This answer is a little complicated. Many people suggest always apologizing. I am of a different mind. I think you should adjust your response to messing up, on the person you are talking to. If the person you are talking to seems upset, then I suggest apologizing, correcting yourself, and moving forward. If the person you're talking to does not have a reaction to the mess up, then simply restate what you said with the correct pronoun and move on. For example: "I was telling so and so that she, I mean I was telling so and so that he..." Using this approach shows you care enough to correct yourself. If you do not catch yourself right away, you can use the same approach the next time you use the person's pronouns in the conversation. Remember though, just because a person doesn't outwardly seem upset, doesn't mean they aren't inwardly upset... so it is possible they could pull you aside later to express their hurt. If this happens, apologize at that moment, give a statement of affirmation to do better, and move forward. THE REASON I don't suggest always apologizing... I have had many conversations with transgender and non-binary people on the topic of pronouns. Many state, they do not like when people apologize because it makes them feel obligated to comfort the person who screwed up. They feel compelled to say, "It's ok" or "It's fine". As transgender/non-binary people we do understand there will be mess ups, but the fact of the matter is that it's not ok and it's not fine. BUT, what usually ends up happening is the person apologizing gets offended that we did not acknowledge or accept their apology. Now you have a situation that started with a person's identity being invalidated, but the other person is now upset. Do you see how his can be an issue? Person A's pronouns have now become about person B... and they AREN'T! There is no taking back a screw up. It happened, just fix it and move on. Regardless of the approach, don't make it a big deal. Making it a big deal or making a show of it makes it awkward for everyone involved, but ESPECIALLY for the person who's pronouns were messed up. So whether you apologize or just correct yourself, don't let there be static air. Just state your apology, affirmation, etc. and continue with the conversation. We ended the meeting with a few announcements of celebration from members. One member announced they came out to a family member and were met with enthusiastic support! Another member announced they are having gender affirming surgery next month. It fills me with so much joy to see a group of people together celebrating these beautiful parts of the transgender/non-binary journey! See you at next month's Trans/Non-binary Support Group!

The time leading up to Cedar Rapids Pride this year was different than every year before... Normally, I am ramping up for Pride the closer it gets. I'd be planning everything I'm going to do. I'd be reaching out to all my loved ones about when/where they're going to be, so I can make sure to meet up with them. But I didn't do any of that this year. Why...? Well, because I was scared. I was so scared that the political climate would impact this beautiful celebration. So much so, that I was starting to have feelings of dread towards Pride. I was convinced that it would be plagued with protestors and a large part of me was worried there would be acts of violence. I had horrible anxiety arriving at Newbo City Market. I walked on eggshells as I navigated the crowd and made my way inside. I kept waiting for a shoe to drop... and it never did. There were no protestors... There was no violence... there was only ever what Pride is about... LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE!! Despite political parties that are determined on erasure we, the LGBTQ+ community, SHOWED THE FUCK UP! We showed that we don't care how many people are against us... WE DON'T CARE! Despite how many people try to invalidate or demonize us... We will persevere and we will continue to celebrate ourselves, our loved ones, our history, and our message!! There were many emotional performances to be seen on the main stage. One notable moment came in the afternoon when, during a break in between songs, singer Nikkie H. expressed her support for her transgender fans and said she won't stop fighting for them. The best moment of the day, in my opinion, came at 3:00pm when the Mayor of Cedar Rapids declared July 12th to be forever known as DJ Lady J day due to her contributions and unwavering support of the LGBTQ+ community!!! Writing this blog post has been an emotional experience. I have cried more than once writing it because I am so DAMN PROUD of this community! If you're reading this know that pride extends to you individually as well! You attended pride despite all the reasons there are to stay home. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! I hope you all had as wonderful of a Pride experience that I did and I can't wait to see what 2026 has to hold!

June 30th, 2025 Tomorrow, July 1st 2025, THOUSANDS of Iowan's will lose their Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care that they so desperately need. This means no more hormone replacement therapy. No more gender-affirming surgeries. The only help they will be able to receive under Medicaid is mental health care for their "body dysmorphia diagnosis". There is a lot there to process, but let's try to let that sink in... First up, transgender people in Iowa are having their gender identities reduced to a mental health diagnosis! That is a symptom... NOT a cause! People are not transgender because they have body dysmorphia... they have body dysmorphia because they are transgender. Now, according to the state of Iowa... they are simply mentally ill. Can you fathom the precedence this is going to set for transgender people and gender-affirming care moving forward?! What happens when transgender people start committing suicide because they can't receive the care they need? Are they once more going to be reduced to being mentally ill? Transgender people are being invalidated in every way they possibly can be! The people making and passing these laws aren't going to view these eventual suicides as tragic losses though. They will use it as further fuel to fan the flame. Fuel for mental illness and convincing others that transgender people are delusional. How many people have to die for doctors to start diagnosing transgender people with body dysmorphia and instead start diagnosing them as schizophrenic (for example)? Some people reading this may seem like that is a stretch, but it would be all too easy for "transgenderism" to be described as a break from reality and psychosis. It was before... it can be again. Then, you have the very real issue of transgender people, like MiXTape Massacre Monroe, who had gender-affirming surgeries scheduled and now have to scramble to find a way to pay out-of-pocket. I don't know about you, but I don't have $10,000 lying around... and someone on Medicaid definitely doesn't either! It's inconceivable... how awful people like MiXTape must feel... how devastating it is to be so close to a sense of gender euphoria and have it snatched away. There is a small source of light though... our community fights for our own. When there is someone in need... WE SHOW UP!! On Sunday, there was a small crowd that came out for MiXTape's benefit show, but that crowd was mighty! $250 was the goal to reach... by the end of the night almost double that amount was raised. It's a small percentage in relation to the full amount, but every dollar that is raised helps ease the burden and lessens the anxiety that I'm sure he is feeling. If you are interested in donating money to MiXTape's cause you can send money to the apps below. Venmo- @thenyaner6000 (Adrian Deal) Paypal- @thenyaner6000 (Adrian Deal)

June 27th, 2025 On June 23rd, I (Wyatt) hosted the first transgender/non-binary support group for the area. I was really motivated to start a support group because of all the political changes that are affecting this group of people. Since the taking over of office on January, there have continued to be cuts to protections and gender affirming care for marginalized groups. We are all feeling unsafe. The biggest topic we discussed was how identities are self-identifying. This is a concept that many people have not heard of, so I wanted to share it here for you all! It doesn't matter what identity we are talking about. Gender, sexual, romantic, relationship... they are all SELF-IDENTIFYING ! Now, what does this mean? This means that each person sets their own "rules" when it comes to their identity. For example, in regard to gender, this can be how a person dresses, what terms work for them, what gender affirming care they want to receive, etc. How one transgender man identifies is not going to match how another transgender man identifies. There could absolutely be crossover or similarities between people, but each person is unique and thus each identity is unique as well. There tends to be a lot of gate keeping both inside and outside of the LGBTQ+ community and it becomes very apparent when you start discussing gender identity. I can't tell you how many times I've heard someone say that a transgender man can't wear make-up or dresses and if they do that means they aren't a transgender man. As you can see, a lot of gatekeeping has to do with gender roles/ideas. The constant invalidation is exhausting. I always find myself asking, "Why can't we just let people live their lives?" And I don't mean this in the sense of, "It doesn't affect you so don't worry about it", although that is a great mentality to have. I mean it in a, "Why does the idea of a man enjoying wearing dresses offend you?" On a fundamental level... what causes people to push back so much against these very normal personal preferences or identities? Why do you think women shouldn't be masculine..? Why are you so concerned with whether or not a transgender woman plans on having bottom surgery..? Why are you so offended by the use of they/they pronouns...? Why are you ok with lesbians, but gay men are offensive to you..? There's a million different answers that people could give to justify gatekeeping and invalidation, but I have found they all boil down to fear. Cis men are afraid that they'll meet and be attracted to transgender woman. Why? "Well, because she used to be a dude." NO!! She has always be a woman and is no longer living the lie of being a man. In fact, a friend of mine recently went through a similar situation with her partner. After years of being together, her partner pushed back against the idea that she no longer wanted bottom surgery. "What if she still has a dick?" So what if she does? You should be attracted to her for who she is, not "what's in her pants". But let's break this down as well... fear of enjoying penetration? Fear of being attracted to men? Fear of being a marginalized group? I could ramble on for hours on this topic because it is something I am incredibly passionate about, but I will leave you with this slice of wisdom. "Encouraging someone to be entirely themselves is the loudest way to love them." -Kalen Dion