Quote from: Flameboy on March 11, 2010, 04:50:52 PM
In the UK, yes, it's pretty much expected that you'll start living as male before you start on T, and generally before you get to the GIC (Gender Identity Clinic). In fact, if you're attending Charing Cross (CX), you're unlikely to be prescribed T unless you've changed your name legally, and are living as male. As far as transitioning at work is concerned, in the UK you're completely covered by employment laws and cannot be discriminated against. Personally, I transitioned at work whilst waiting for my first appointment, with no problems at all.
A good place to start would be by going to a local trans support group. You'll meet lots of people at all stages of transition there, and you'll have no problems turning up as male and using a male name there.
Okay, first off, I'm nowhere near CX - I live in Leeds, where it's harder to find a local support group. Unless I'm looking in the wrong place(s), of course. But anyway, thanks for the reply, it was very helpful. My boss is actually on holiday next week, so it'll be less nerve-wracking - well, there are still others in the building that I'll run into, but that happens less often. But I have my gel/condom packer now! No more putting up with uncomfortable socks!
My swimsuit arrived today too - not overly happy with the results, but it's better than what I had - will post comparison pics over the weekend.
Got a call from the doc today, too - she can't refer me straight to GIC, but she mentioned mental health department or something like that, who'll be the one deciding if I should go on to gender therapy. How long this'll all take I don't know, but I suspect I'll actually have quite some time to transition. My only concern now is, I need extra part-time work and they'll need ID. Hmm...
Quote from: Kristi on March 09, 2010, 06:50:22 PM
This is a wonderful story and it sounds like you are well on your way. I really appreciate your sharing with us! Please tell us what your pastor says. I will be very interested.
Hugs!
Aaww, thanks
Okay, what actually happened was, Wednesday was a very long, emotionally draining day. The early afternoon workshop was fine. Had a review which lead to my going straight on to church. Meeting with pastors went on for about an hour and a half, I had just enough time after that to go home, switch bags and go straight back there again for the next Alpha session. (I don't know how many of you have heard of the Alpha course, but there's a link
here if you want to check it out.) I'd offered to help out on the courses run at our centre, since it was at one such course I began to follow Jesus.
What happened with the pastors:
I got a lot more emotional than I was expecting to, probably because I was talking about other things that had happened before. I'd mentioned them to give them more of an idea about clues while I was growing up, although Jonathan (who did most of the talking) seemed to think this trans "idea" had only cropped up when I was low. I soon put him right when I explained that one such time was during my first year at Uni in Leeds, where I was pretty happy. I also told him that I'd only mentioned the bullying at school for the whole "she's different" thing that I was explaining to folks in the chat room the previous night, and a lot of others were saying that's what happens with trans people. He didn't claim to be an expert, and proved his point as he spoke about sexuality and talking about the world thinking sex is the be all and end all, when it isn't. He seems to think it's about sex - I mentioned my previous relationships feeling wrong just to help explain what I'm going through - and was also concerned about the voices I've been listening to as "this idea came to me", whereupon I'd had to tell/remind him that this wasn't something new, I hadn't come to this decision lightly, it'd been there for a long time and had surfaced before in different ways.
On the plus side, he spoke about sexuality (bear with him here) being a spectrum. I just looked at him and said "Thank you!" He'd also said he's aware that a small number of people are born really feeling that they don't belong in the body they're born into. He reminded me God loved me no matter what, and that I would still be welcome in the church. He also asked - not just said he was concerned, but asked - what voices I was listening to, so I told him I believed I was listening to God. I pointed out that He had in mind to not only bring me to the life of wholeness that He'd promised, but also to tackle the other issues I had as I transitioned - I have limb problems for example, and I'm starting to wonder if it's a hormonal problem since the docs couldn't figure out what's wrong. I also explained that He could be using everything I've gone through and will be going through to help me to help others. Jonathan replied with "Well, He may be asking you to tackle this problem; I'm not suggesting for one moment that He isn't, or saying to you 'Don't even think about it'." They both prayed with me afterwards, Joanna still asked me afterwards if I was coming to Alpha later on. Meaning she still wanted me at Alpha. And I'm still on Prayer Ministry - I'm rotaed for this Sunday, in fact.
My housemate was waiting for me when I went home to change bags, which was nice. He asked me how it went, we had a little chat before he left and I followed his trail to church. I was out of it for a good portion of Alpha simply because I'd had no time to recover, although I was still able to contribute. It's been a couple of days now; I've caught up on my rest, I got that call back from the doctor's to say she'd refer me to someone, my head is clearer. I have to say, that talk went pretty damn amazing considering what was discussed - it certainly could have gone a lot worse.
Thanks for your support guys, you've been great
