Hello from Ohio!

[JeffJefftyJeff]

I'm never sure what to write in introductions, but I've been lurking around the site for months before even registering and finally worked up the nerve *to* register, so... I figured I'd finally poke my head out of my shell and say hello.

My name's Eli, and I'm a still-mostly-in-the-closet genderqueer guy starting to transition in NW Ohio. I don't think there are many others here in the area, but I was happy to see there were quite a few Ohioans in general, so hello! A little bit about me I guess: I'm 31, married to my partner of 13 years, and currently taking a break from what *should have* been my final year in my PhD program. Stuff got really heavy and I had some serious depression for the last year or two, until I finally worked out what was going on (really, my need to transition and come out and be open about who I was - and my desire to do this all before I finished my PhD, so that degree isn't following me with my old name). I'm out to my partner, who has been pretty much amazingly supportive, as well as my circle of online friends (who've known me as a guy since I met most of them a couple of years ago).

Not sure what else to say! I have an appointment at the Cleveland Pride Clinic on Wednesday so I'd love to hear about experiences with them if anyone has them. Otherwise just... looking to plug into the community, I guess. I've got a lot of friends who are supportive online but not really any who know what I'm dealing with/going through with transitioning (even my other genderqueer friends don't identify as trans or need to *transition* like I do).

So yeah. Hey folks. 

[gennee]

Hello Eliot and welcome to Susan's. I pray that your appointment goes well. It's a positive step in the right direction.

[Kova V]

Welcome Eliot, even though you're from Ohio, welcome to Susan's anyway.

JK, I live here too, in Columbus actually. 

Btw, is it raining everyday in Cleveland like it is in the middle of the state? This is a strange year with weather.

[JeffJefftyJeff]

Thanks to both of you! And Kova, I wish I could say - I'm actually driving out to Cleveland from Toledo (it's kind of a desert out here as far as trans health stuff is concerned, at least as far as I can tell). But yeah, it's been pretty rainy out here too - as well as miserably hot and muggy. ><

[Mariah]

Hi Eli, welcome to Susan's. I think you did just fine. I look forward to seeing you around the forums. Good luck and hugs
Mariah

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[V M]

Hi Eli 

Welcome to Susan's    Glad to have you here, join on in the fun

Hugs

V M

[Carrie Liz]

Howdy from a fellow Toledoan! 

I lived in Cleveland for a couple of years, and started transition there. The PRIDE clinic is great, most of my friends go there for their hormones and bloodwork, the only complaint that they've ever had is that Dr. Ng tends to be a bit conservative in terms of dosages. But in terms of genuinely caring for the trans* spectrum, and doing advocacy for trans rights in his practice, there's no one better.

Me personally, I go to Dr. Weiss/Blackburn's office in Columbus for my hormones, they're a good option as well. (I went there because they do hormones on informed consent, plus are open during hours that were convenient for me due to my weird casino schedule while the PRIDE clinic is open during very limited hours.)

I'm not really sure what Toledo has to offer in terms of trans groups, I haven't really looked since moving here 7 months ago, but I do know of a nice friendly trans* meetup group in Cleveland that I used to go to a lot, run by two trans guys. Detroit also has trans groups, which is probably closer, but again, I haven't really looked personally since moving, so Cleveland's the only place I have active experience with in terms of community and accessibility.

[JeffJefftyJeff]

Ah okay, thank you for the info, Carrie! I wasn't aware of that about Dr. Ng but for some reason I think my appointment there was actually with a different doctor; when I called I expected she'd put me down with him, but the name she said was unfamiliar. That said, I think I was a little delirious that I was able to get an appointment so quickly so... might have just been too much of a spaz to notice

You're right about the area, as far as I can tell; I've not been aware of too much of a presence in the area, though I'm not exactly a social butterfly myself so I'll confess I haven't looked a lot until just recently. It is good to know that there are other options though, for health stuff - I had ruled out Columbus originally just because I didn't know of anyone there, so it's nice to hear there are trans friendly doctors there. I'm staying optimistic about the Pride clinic but if it doesn't end up feeling like the right fit I may check out elsewhere - really appreciate the heads-up!

[katrinaw]

Big warm welcome to Susan's Eli

That's great that your partner is supportive of you...

Good luck with the last year of your PhD and your journey and look forward to seeing you around the forum's

L Katy 

[Rachel]

Welcome to Susan's.