I've been hanging out on the IRC channels quite a bit and decided I should finally do an intro and start using my forum account. Ironically unused accounts (including mine) got purged today but that's timing for you
I'm a 25yo M2F living in Sheffield, UK. I got on the waiting list for an NHS Gender Identity Clinic back in 2003 (and still on it!) but wasn't really ready and took no further steps. Ended up working as a machine operator, not exactly ideal circumstances for transition! Left that job in feb 2005 due to depression and been unemployed since then. After mostly recovering from a lengthy period of depression finally decided in January that my GID was never going to get any better if I just ignored it.
I saw a gender identity therapist last month (Dr Curtis), been on HRT for 8 weeks (now on prescription) and had two sessions of laser (3rd session tomorrow) (I like parentheses). Planning to change my name by the end of this month and go full-time by the end of June. My close family are all aware of my situation and have been very supportive so far.
Anyway, I'm much happier now I'm making progress, my only real worry is finding a job after a lengthy absence, but I'm sure something will come along.
http://www.arafel.org.uk/~mandel/me.jpg is me (bar some false advertising in the chest area
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