Harry Benjamin Changes Sept. 2011 . .

[conformer]

I wasn't aware that the Harry Benjamin Standards of Care changed last year and I just want to post this for people who didn't know either. Some changes made:

• There are now different standards for surgery, as well. For example, a transgender man who wants a hysterectomy no longer has to live one year as a male in order to receive the surgery. Likewise, a transgender woman who wants her testicles removed does not have to live one year as a female.

For people who want genital reconstructive surgery, however, the standards of care recommend living a year in the role of the gender they are transitioning.

• Another major change, Bockting explained, is that the standards "allow for a broader spectrum of identities – they are no longer so binary."

• Psychotherapy is no longer a requirement to receive hormones and surgery, although it is suggested.

Also, when I went and read some of the revised section of adolescent treatment, there is no specified age as to when they can start HRT.

Adolescents may be eligible to begin feminizing/masculinizing hormone therapy, preferably with parental consent. In many countries, 16-year-olds are legal adults for medical decision-making and do not require parental consent. Ideally, treatment decisions should be made among the adolescent, the family, and the treatment team.

The old one said

Adolescents may be eligible to begin masculinizing or
feminizing hormone therapy as early as age 16, preferably with parental consent.In many
countries 16-year olds are legal adults for medical decision making, and do not require parental
consent.

Revised Standards of Care: http://www.wpath.org/documents/Standards%20of%20Care%20V7%20-%202011%20WPATH.pdf

Source: http://www.thegavoice.com/index.php/news/national-news/3497-wpath-announces-new-standards-of-care-for-transgender-and-gender-nonconforming-people

[Adio]

Yep, it was updated last year.  It's also not been called the "Harry Benjamin" Standards of Care in a while. 

[Lee]

I was thinking that Hairy Benjamin must be a euphemism...

[kelly_aus]

They are the World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care.. And have been for some time..

[conformer]

The version prior to the new one that I posted said Harry Benjamin SOC. Thanks for letting me know what they're called now though.

[Artemis]

  I've read the whole thing?

I get the distinct feeling that my gender therapist has not read it? For example: When I said that I think I would like to take it very slow, that I and the people around me needed time, so I would like to start with very slow, low impact, gradual change HRT for now, and perhaps an orchiectomy for both medical and psychological reasons. For now that would be more then enough. I might consider going all the way (RLE/GRS/legal change), if I really could not continue without, but that would not be anytime soon?

To my surprise the very idea of only needing some and not all, was flat out dismissed! It really seemed like the only options where either the whole deal or nothing at all? And then most likely only on THEIR schedule?

It gets even worse: She (and her two male colleagues) actually said that they considered it their primary role to act as gatekeepers. Badly informed gatekeepers?

The weird thing is that the actually people (Someone explicitly asked them on my behave) that you go to once you have passed these gatekeepers are way more flexible and my request should not be much of a problem there?

Does anyone know how a document like this is generally regarded in the relevant medical community?

[nickm1492]

I've read the whole thing?

I get the distinct feeling that my gender therapist has not read it?

Does anyone know how a document like this is generally regarded in the relevant medical community?

The lady I am getting "therapy" from has stated she has "glanced" at it. She is a licensed bull->-bleeped-<-!er. My mom is getting me an appointment with a psychiatrist I used to go to. Hopefully because she is an actual DOCTOR, she will know these guidelines and not play gatekeeper.