LOS ANGELES, CA - Acclaimed adult star and philanthropist Domino Presley has added additional funds to the Jazmin Shibata Scholarship in celebration of the one-year anniversary of its inception.
“It is so important, in my opinion, to give back to your community,” says Presley. “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 workers day and make their journey a little less stressful.”
“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,” stated Kristel Penn. “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, please contact Kristel Penn directly at kristel@sadbutradtherapy.com.
Domino Presley is an American adult film performer, director, and adult talent agent who debuted in the adult industry in 2010. Using her far-reaching platform, she championed greater inclusivity and visibility of minoritized performers in adult entertainment. Through her management company, she advocated for higher pay and ethical treatment of performers on-set and continues to use her voice to uplift the trans community. As a trailblazer in the adult industry, she was the first trans performer to win an award in a non-trans exclusive category and continues receiving numerous accolades in her illustrious career. She was also the first director to feature trans masculine and BBW performers in a mainstream adult movie.
Currently, Presley serves as the Mistress of Ceremonies for the Trans Erotica Awards, which celebrates the accomplishments of the trans adult industry. She is a passionate philanthropist and activist in the trans adult industry and beyond. In 2022, she created the Jazmin Shibata Scholarship, which financially supports trans sex workers to receive free therapy and professional letters of support (for transition) through mental health initiative, Sad But Rad Therapy. For more information, visit SadButRadTherapy.com.
Multi-talented and creatively passionate, Presley teamed up with recording artist Alissah to form the pop group, The Gurls, recently welcoming Raquel Starr to the phenomenal lineup. The Gurls performed in London for a crowd of thousands and continue to break barriers in the mainstream arena, racking up over 30 million views to date for their music video with Rupaul’s Drag Race alum Gia Gunn.
To learn more about Domino, visit TheDominoPresley.com.