Leopoldo‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ Bloom is a trans man and an artist. He was raised in New York and came to know and accept himself when he encountered queer theory in college. Although he was in the process of his gender transition while he was part of the experimental film scene in New York, he didn't really feel a sense of community there. He moved to Portland, Oregon, where he became more accepted and had an easier time getting healthcare related to his transition. Bloom navigated the medical bureaucracy and endured the hostility of academic settings. At the same time, he faced issues in getting appropriate long-term and mental healthcare because of the systemic gaps and social hierarchies in both the trans and artistic communities. His journey to self-discovery through art, community, and transition is beautifully captured in his memoir, "How to Transition on 63 Cents a Day." Bloom points to the continued lack of real, material support and of being valued, even in trans communities, despite the recent visibility and activism of trans ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌people.