Hello from my hell - a plea for help to maintain what little sanity I possess.

[4jenni]

Hi my name is jenni. I was born in UK in 1950 and I live in Canada,moving from the UK in 1982.  I started living as a woman full time in late 2003, legally changed my name in early 2004 and underwent GRS male to female in March 2005.
To qualify for my UK state pension - i've made voluntary contributions to full entitlement - I must produce an amended birth certificate and a GRC.
I have read a gazillion application guidelines and sent affidavits from my gender dysphoria doctor and GRS surgeon, certified copies of all my ids UK and Canadian Passports, Alberta Name Change, Driving Licence, health care card, Social Insurance card and confirmations from the Director of Alberta Vital Statistics and my Member of Parliament.  It seems that all this proof is insufficient evidence that I can show that I have had forml recognition in Alberta, Canada.
If this an old thread, please redirect me to someone, preferably UK born and Canadian resident who has received a GRC from the nameless GRP members and how they did it.
If not, then can someone tell me what they accept as formal recognition - perhaps I should tattoo "Me Woman" on my forehead or send the panel full frontal pics with my doctors pointing out the new bits?
I am mentally challenged following a brain meltdown in 2000 and this episode is an absolute nightmare.
Anyway enough about me.  I hope all members are living happy lives and can share how they get along with their families.
With love,
jenni.

[Assaulta]

This sounds awful! Good luck to you, and maybe this should be in the discrimination forum? Just a suggestion!

[April Dawne]

Hello Jenni!

I don't have any answers for you, but thought I would say hi and welcome! I am new here too, and am just starting to familiarize myself with the site. I noticed there is a page here on the forum for Legal help, have you looked into the subjects there? Maybe you could post your query in that area? I wish you luck in all you do!

~April

[Lacey Lynne]

Jenni:

First, welcome!

Second, April has the right idea ... You need legal help.  See if you can get a good lawyer.  If you CAN, that should "do the trick" for you. 

Third, if you DO decide to get a good lawyer, write a post ON THIS SITE asking if anybody knows of one who can help you out.  There are smart, knowledgeable, helpful people here from all over the world! 

Age age 60, you don't need the hassle they are giving you.  A good lawyer should work it all out for you.  Just my opinion.

   ...   Lacey Lynne

[Sarah B]

Hi 4jenni

Welcome to Susan's and I wish you all the best in getting your birth certificate.  There will be others, hopefully who also will have information that will help you in your quest.

I was also born in the UK and I'm currently trying to get my birth certificate and also it is a f...ing nightmare.  I had my surgery in 1991 and I had my surgery in the country I now reside.  Although the country I reside in, is an approved country.  There is no legislation anywhere in the country that I reside that will allow me to comply with the Gender Recognition Act 2004 (GRA 2004).  Section 3(5) under the overseas track application.  My application for a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) will be denied very soon.

Since you have mentioned that you reside in Canada, Alberta. This province is listed under Canada as an approved province.   The Panel will only recognise a Recognition Details Certificate (RDC) from Canada, Alberta as being the prime documentation that will allow you to gain your GRC and hence finally your UK Birth Certificate.

You can apply under the standard track application route, but you would have to satisfy sections 2 and 3 of the GRA 2004.  This is also the problem because my current documentation that I have in regards to my surgery, I believe does not satisfy those sections.  Hence, in terms of obtaining my birth certificate I'm stranded.

However, I'm still working on obtaining my UK birth certificate, but this is going to take time and I'm still considering my options as they currently exist at the present stage.

So in summary:

• For overseas track application the GRP is only basically interested in a RDC as proof of legal change of gender.  Living, marriage and other document requirements seem to be only secondary.

• For standard track application the GRP is only basically interested in the diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria and treatment.  Living, marriage and other document requirements seem to be only secondary.

I hope this gives you an insight into what is going on in regards to obtaining an amended birth certificate from the UK.  An RDC from the province of Alberta would more than likely satisfy the requirements for a GRC from the GRP.

If you have any further queries in regards to this matter, just ask and I will try and help you where possible.

Kind regards
Sarah B

[ToniAndrea]

Hello Jenni,
             Good luck with those jerks at the GRP. I was born in the UK and presently live in Canada. I sent the GRP proof going back to 1998 Undisputable proof. I even went back to UK for my srs with Michael Royle in 2000. I was denied a Recognition Certificate. I now have the Ombudsmans office in the UK  looking into this for me. I contacted the MP for the area my Mom lived in in the UK. I also have a complaint filed regarding prejudice against transexuals. I have now filed a complaint with the Tribunals Service in the UK. As you can tell I am trying all avenues to be treated fairly. So far no luck.
       There was another woman who had surgery in the USA with Meltzer when he was in Portland. She was denied because her psychiatrists were not on the UK list of recomended doctors. She had to go back to the UK and see a psychiatrist who happens to be on the GRP and he charged her 350 pounds per hour. She was about 15 years post op at that time. She finally got her certificate.
       It appears to be a big scam, You have to see their doctors who are listed with the GRP. Most of these doctors sit on the panel.
Post Merge: July 18, 2010, 07:10:26 PM
By the way Jenni,
                             I will be 65 in September and I need that certificate in order to renew my UK passport and apply for my UK pension. I was intending moving to Spain but I need my UK passport for that.  EU and all that.  GRP has totally screwed all my plans for retirement so all is on hold right now.  I thought all this jumping through hoops was way in the past. Evidently not thanks to the GRP.
Post Merge: July 18, 2010, 08:21:44 PM
By the way, The overseas track will not work. I tried it. They told me to use the regular UK forms. They also told me my doctors two of which are Canada's foremost authorities on GID will not be recognized because they are not on the GRP list. I guess they want me to go see one of their buddy doctors at 350 pounds per hour.

[Sarah B]

Hi ToniAndrea

I have sent you a Private Message.  If you cannot reply (you need 15 posts to be able to) post a message here.

I have the same problem as you do and 4jenni.

Kind regards
Sarah B

[ToniAndrea]

Sarah and 4Jenni,
                             I tried to send you emails but I was unable to. Are we allowed to post email addys on here?

[Sarah B]

Hi ToniAndrea

Thank you for letting me know that you have tried to send me a Private Messsage (PM) me.  You need 15 posts to be able to do that.  After that you pretty much have full access.  Including Private Messaging.

Kind regards
Sarah B

[ToniAndrea]

6 more to go. I posted some information for you and Jenni with some names and even addresses. Hope some of it is helpful.

[Sarah B]

I do have a British passport and you do not need the GRC to get it.  You need a change of name document and birth certificate.  Well that was what I did years ago before the GRA 2004 came into force.  If I remember correctly.

Since this is the Introduction thread, I suggest that we continue this discussion in the Legal Thread started by al james.

Kind regards
Sarah B