LOS ANGELES—Adult performer and philanthropist Domino Presley has added additional funds to the Jazmin Shibata Scholarship in celebration of its first anniversary from inception.
Presley said, "It is so important, in my opinion, to give back to your community. I didn’t come from money and transitioning during a time before Caitlyn Jenner existed, there were very limited resources that actually helped trans women in their transition, specifically trans sex workers."
Through the Jazmin Shibata Scholarship, trans sex workers in California are able to receive free therapy and letters of support for transition-related care from Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT), Kristel Penn (Yoneda). Presley and Penn started the scholarship program together a year ago while Penn was a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) trainee at the LGBTQ Center in Orange County.
Presley added, "Trans sex workers are the backbone of the trans community. Mental health is not only important to me but something I have struggled with my entire life. I have benefitted so much and learned how to truly love myself and accept myself and all of my transness by going to therapy regularly. A lot of places require a letter of approval from a therapist in order to fulfill one’s transition journey or even just a name change. Right now, during a time where society is really testing trans people daily… if not, hourly… I hope this scholarship can be even the tiniest glimmer of light in a trans sex worker's day and make their journey a little less stressful."
Penn stated, "It’s been about a year since the Jazmin Shibata Scholarship was created and it’s been wonderful to see firsthand how it’s being used in our community. When Domino approached me with the idea, I knew it was the start of something big and something much needed in our industry."
Through the Jazmin Shibata Scholarship, qualified individuals will be able to receive at no cost to them, a free assessment and letter of support from Penn (AMFT) to be given to their doctor and/or insurance company that follows the criteria required by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).
To those interested in learning more about the Jazmin Shibata Scholarship, contact Penn directly at [email protected].
To learn more about Presley, visit TheDominoPresley.com. Follow Presley on Instagram @TheDominoPresley and on Twitter @DominoPresley.
