Quote from: Alessandro on October 15, 2010, 03:25:03 AM
How did that happen, out of curiosity? 
Is it on every document?
Because I'm trans, full time and post T, but still pre-op.
In NSW, I cannot get a new birth certificate until I've had top surgery, a full hysto, and 2 letters from doctors stating that my "SRS" is complete and I can no longer medically function in my birth sex for reproductive purposes... permanently (Not that I could in the first place
).
However - it's not all bad. We don't have gender markers on any ID, and we can use whatever title we want (or failing that, no title at all). We can change our name to whatever we want (as long as it's not offensive) for pretty much any reason we want - and being trans is a big "approved" stamp straight off the bat. No courts involved - just a form to fill out and $144.
So I am legally speaking, a female Mr. <male name>
.
The only thing that outs me is my birth certificate, and the gender marker on some government computer systems. I have to tick "F" on the forms that run through those, or the computer will throw a hissy fit.
Most things in everyday life (including at work - and that's a government owned company) I can tick "M" without an issue though.
All in all - If you opened my wallet and scrutinized my ID, you wouldn't find anything that'd out me. Even my credit card says "Mr". So, it's no biggie. Just annoying on the few (rare) occasions I have to give my actual legal marker.
So it's happened due to stupid, stupid laws, and very good compromises (and workarounds) put in place to allow early transition transgendered people to live with a minimum of hassle and discrimination.
Sure, it'd just be easier on us if they allowed us to change our birth certificate with less hassle - but you're talking about the country that banned gay marriage in 1997 (or so), and refused on both sides of government to even consider it in this years election despite protests. They aren't exactly progressive anymore
.
To bring it back to the thread - You get the hang of what box to tick when after a while
. I've got a mis-mash of gender markers across different databases.
If you are in doubt, you can always ask. Or, try the M box, and if your forms are rejected - talk to someone about it.
However - I would recommend outing yourself to medical staff WHEN RELEVANT (ie, if you suspect it might affect anything).
My local GP that does my shots knows, but the nurses that prep the shot haven't been told (They asked about my prostate once - that's a pretty good sign my privacy has been respected). My records there say "M", my status is strictly off the record, yet I've had no troubles with public health coverage being rejected. My dentist on the other hand, does not need to know (unless I have to "go under" for something major, in which case I'd be telling the anesthesiologist. For checkups and fillings? Pffft... nah).
