Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I'd like to go full time in a few months - been on HRT since May '14.  What sort of timeline did you follow?  How long was it from popping that first estradiol pill until you dumped the old male self for good?

For me it was 2 months.  I just said "Screw this!" one day and that was the end of "guy mode" forever.

different for everyone ive been on it for 6 months and im still not full time
im not a girl at work which is pretty much it so i wouldnt consider myself full time quite yet.

I went full time over 2 months before starting HRT. My waiting for HRT wasn't in the cards for going full time. I didn't feel the need to wait. So it was before any patches, shots, or Spiro pill.
Mariah

Congratulations on the hrt!  I started hormones on June 30 of 2010 and went full time when I could absolutely no longer pass as a male even if I tried. That was September of 2011.  However, I could have gone full time without issue about 6 months after.

The plan for me is to be full time in April, which will include work.  That will be a year and a few months on HRT at that point.  The gating factor for me is getting most of the electrolysis complete.  The floor I am on at work is high profile and we often have guests, and that goes with the washroom.  I don't want to be situation where the facial hair is visible, especially with guests and the washrooms.  It is a long wait, but it will make coming out at work hopefully very easy.

If I wait until I couldn't pass as male, I'd be a good year buried in the ground. I wouldn't pass as anything but worm food by then  ;D

There is nothing in this world to stop you from going full time whenever you need to.

I have been part time but not full time for a few months.. only because I started passing as female and male.. so was both....
I got tired of it so I did FFS and now am full time.. .. no choice at all now..
Loved going to the women's restroom without hesitation at the airport on the way home from Chicago..

Many take about two years to go full time.. but its a good Idea to get started on the beard right away .. just in case you decide to jump soon.. depending on how much beard you have.
Keri

It took me about 5 months.  If I could I would have done it sooner, but unfortunately I had to deal with a somewhat unique situation at work which slowed everything down for me. 

Good luck!

Melissa

I started HRT, went full-time publicly and at work all at the same time.

After a really testing first few months ... the 'novelty' wore off, and people were no longer uncomfortable around me.

I also felt really settled in by then, too.

For me ... the sooner the better going full-time. It's something we have to get over with at some point!

I never went full time, it just sort of happened I guess....I just got to a point where I couldn't really remember the last time I was out and about presenting as male.....I guess I was on hormones like 6 months maybe a bit more maybe a bit less but since there wasn't kike a specific day it is hard to say. For a long time I kept saying I wasn't full time when in fact I was I just hadn't made the decision to be but I only presented female.

I mean I guess if anything my boobs just got too big to conceal and when out in guys clothes I started to be gendered female it just seemed easier to be out of the house as a woman.

Quote from: Brenda E on December 30, 2014, 07:37:39 PM
I'd like to go full time in a few months - been on HRT since May '14.  What sort of timeline did you follow?  How long was it from popping that first estradiol pill until you dumped the old male self for good?

I was full time about 4 months before starting HRT, but then again I live in the UK and that's how we roll here. I used to think it was an entirely inhuman requirement to place on a person but having been through it can see why it makes sense. As Joanna said, there's not a thing in the world stopping you from going full time right now other than you. The pills are great but they aren't going to do the social transition for you and that's no bad thing, especially if you are stuck in a system that hasn't moved on from SoC 1.0.

Rosie

About six weeks, I could never go stealth, everyone was going to find out, I was staying in my job so I just did it. As Sarah said, sooner you come out, the sooner people get over it.

I started HRT (patches) in February and first noticed I was effectively full time except for work sometime in early April - so about two months, although I literally did *notice,* because I didn't do it on purpose. I just hated going out as a guy so much that I kept making excuses not to. :) I came out at work in May and was officially full-time there the first week in June, and never looked back.

Took me 15 months...

Started HRT in January of 2013, finally went full-time in April of 2014. It took me that long to be confident enough in my passability.

Started in February noticed myself I was full time in December.  Asking friends when did I go full time? There replies are along the lines of.
"You actually presented and dressed as a guy before?"

I started hrt and went full time on the same day...

I thought, well i am taking female hormones... why not just present as a female ...

I've been on HRT since July and have no plans of going full time for a while. I see myself easing into it as opposed to setting a date where it has to happen.

I was supposed to wait until after hormones?

I am hot full time either, but at the same time, as some other posters said, I am not really like part time or flipping between male and female modes either. I dress very andro and just people figure out with whom they want to deal (not that I do communicate a lot with strangers) - if they gender me as female, it is nice and flattering, if as male - well, I just suck it up.

Brenda, while you have posed your question as being "from HRT to full time", you can see variability starting from before HRT to waiting many years.

Is there a "right" moment to go full time?  I'd say that the moment arrives when you feel ready for it.  You'll see that some of us jump when we know we'll pass, and others just don't care.

I took less than 4 months, but with some serious checks, balances and planning.  In order of priority, I'd say that these were:

• Support from family and friends for what I was doing
• Agreement, even from my bluntest friends, that I was quite passable
• Written support from my employer and key managers and work colleagues
• Knowing that I was ready, in terms of clothes, voice, presentation and mannerisms, to attend customer meetings without them wondering what type of creature I was
• Finally, just feeling that it was the right moment to jump and not turn back

Hope this helps.
A/J

I started HRT back in March '13. When I moved out in August I began presenting female about 75% of the time. I'm still not out at work or when I go visit my kids. I plan on going FT at work soon as I get my name change done in Jan/Feb.

I went full time 16 months before starting HRT

Quote from: Hikari on December 30, 2014, 10:23:59 PMI mean I guess if anything my boobs just got too big to conceal . . .

This'll probably be the defining factor for me too if they don't stop growing soon.

2015 - I think I'll work on making sure my mindset is right.  As you've all mentioned, being mentally comfortable with going full time seems to be the goal, rather than any particular level of HRT-induced passability.

Confidence, I suppose, is the bottom line. :)

I started full time in November of 2013, and went on meds after finally finding an endo in April of 2014. So... 6 months before lol.
I gotta say though, getting correctly gendered in public started happening a lot more often after about a month on HRT. Not sure why, as physical changes didn't really show until after 3 months.

Quote from: WFane on December 31, 2014, 11:27:53 AM
I gotta say though, getting correctly gendered in public started happening a lot more often after about a month on HRT. Not sure why, as physical changes didn't really show until after 3 months.

Self-confidence?

Well I'm not full time at work yet but I had planned Summer 2015... but I may have to push that up a bit as my boobs are growing and I really can't wear anything without them protruding. Yeah, I know, what a problem to have, right? I started HRT officially at the beginning of December but in total I have about 3 months under my belt.

I want to at least clear most of the facial hair and get an acceptable voice before I do though. And I want to get my name and gender marker changed so I can challenge anyone who tries to chase me out the ladies room with authority. 

I will never have full support of my wife and my parents I'm just telling them now. So I'm not even taking that into account. I need to be me.

I may do like Hikari and just go with the flow until I'm full time without even realizing it.

I am certainly NOT wasting years of my life.

So I've been on HRT for... (looks at ticker) around 14 months? I still haven't gone full time yet, though I did set a date for myself for this April. If I don't do that, I'll never think I'm ready enough. :/

Today marks four months on hormones and I'm rapidly heading towards male fail unless I speak. My current timeline is:

Come out at work in May
Yeson voice surgery next year
Go full time
One year of saving and working two jobs in prep for GRS.

Still holding out but It will happen.

At home I am full time.

Due to a job loss and loss of health insurance I began living full time and even changed my name legally before beginning HRT. I could not live another minute with my birth name and wearing a male costume.

I am planning to go full time at least by summer of 2015 (July or August). I currently have an A cup and can hide them when I am wearing jackets and winter coats. However, when the heat strikes I wonder how am I going to hide my girls except for binding them which I think defeats the main goal of transitioning.

I am lucky that I live in Ontario, Canada - Transgender are given full rights to go full time at work regardless of a legal name/gender change. You just have to let your employer know that this is now my name and you should address me with the correct pronouns. I am not saying that I will not change my name but it's not a pre-requisite. :)

Ontario Human Rights Commission
13.3.3 Recognizing lived gender identity
Sometimes, a person may choose not to change their name and gender on their identity documents. In other instances, different documents may indicate different names and/or gender designations. Regardless of what is recorded on a person's identity documents, a trans person should be addressed in person by their chosen name and gender.

Organizations should accommodate if a trans person asks them to have documents recognize a name that differs from their legal name.

Example: A trans student requests that class lists reflect their lived gender identity and chosen name. This would help make sure teachers and other staff and students address them appropriately.

Depending on the circumstances, the Code may allow for limits on the duty to accommodate, especially if a person chooses not to change their legal name. An organization would have to show their criteria for recognizing a person's gender identity is legitimate and they were unable to accommodate short of undue hardship (see sections 9 and 10 of this policy on reasonable bona fide requirements and the duty to accommodate). A person's chosen name and gender might still be used alongside their legal name, again, if appropriate in the circumstances.

Example: A trans client requests that electronic health records at their local walk-in clinic reflect their lived gender identity and chosen name alongside current health card information that shows a different name and gender. This would help make sure healthcare professionals and other staff address them appropriately in person.

For prescriptions and other documents, ordering medical procedures and referrals to other health care practitioners, the clinic believes the name and gender shown on the person's health card is also necessary to avoid any health and safety risk from mistakes that might happen.

In many cases, organizations will not need corroboration or proof of a person's lived gender identity to recognize a person's chosen name and gender in their administrative system. A person's request should usually be enough.

Example: The University of Toronto has a policy that allows students to change their name and gender on academic records, class lists and online student databases by writing a letter to their college registrar, requesting this change. The university will require the student to establish and authenticate their identity.[115]

A person's self-identified gender should be accepted genuinely in good faith even if identity documents do not match their lived gender. An organization would need a serious reason to doubt someone's self-identified gender.[116]

I still have'nt gone full time. Its all work related as I am the CEO and majority owner of a financial institution. Each day it gets mre difficult as the changes raise questions - I'm debating if I should just come out at work as the financial industry has very strong protection agaist discrimination against LGBT.  Just an internal debate - if I want to be an advocate as this way would make the news. Hoped to quietly sell out and dissappear and thus no publicity.

I began taking a transitioning dose of HRT on October the 8th of 2013, my divorce became final on August the 11th of 2014, I did my legal name and gender change on September the 15th of 2014, and I came out at work on September the 17th of 2014. That's about a year between popping those blue pills and walking into work as Eva.

I didn't really have a timeline to do this - I was playing it by ear. The things that gave me the final shove were my divorce and my evolving female appearance - I had recently experienced a couple of male fails and I was running out of options to hide my boobs at work (the baggy dress shirt really wasn't working well anymore at hiding them). It was simply time to do it.

I had been doing laser hair removal prior to coming out and had been practicing going out en femme for quite a while so when the day came it was not that big of a deal. I simply got to work early, walked into my office and left the door open, and waited for everyone to walk past my office out of curiosity to see me (which they all did of course  :laugh:).

Within 30 days I was old, stale news around the water cooler and it was all over with - which is as it should be.

Amazing share Eva, for some reason I just have this internal yearning to do it sooner than later. I'm living almost full time since I dress up very feminine during our casual Fridays and dress a bit andro from Mon - Thursday. Weekends is femme mode.

Decisions decisions :)

Quote from: Eva Marie on December 31, 2014, 08:36:44 PM
I began taking a transitioning dose of HRT on October the 8th of 2013, my divorce became final on August the 11th of 2014, I did my legal name and gender change on September the 15th of 2014, and I came out at work on September the 17th of 2014. That's about a year between popping those blue pills and walking into work as Eva.

I didn't really have a timeline to do this - I was playing it by ear. The things that gave me the final shove were my divorce and my evolving female appearance - I had recently experienced a couple of male fails and I was running out of options to hide my boobs at work (the baggy dress shirt really wasn't working well anymore at hiding them). It was simply time to do it.

I had been doing laser hair removal prior to coming out and had been practicing going out en femme for quite a while so when the day came it was not that big of a deal. I simply got to work early, walked into my office and left the door open, and waited for everyone to walk past my office out of curiosity to see me (which they all did of course  :laugh:).

Within 30 days I was old, stale news around the water cooler and it was all over with - which is as it should be.

I don't know if it will be much of a surprise when I show up to work as Kate. I kinda already dress femme but more on the androgynous side. I did plan to wear a dress or skirt my first day full time at work, just so there is no confusion, besides I always wanted to go to work in a dress.

My original plan was to complete my schooling, get a job, do HRT on the side and the second I saved up enough for bottom surgery get that and just abandon all I've known and live a stealth life.

Well, my first year in college I decided I wasn't willing to wait and would just HAVE to come out so I could use my parent's health insurance for the endo

thus, my NEW plan was to just ride HRT until I graduated, then wait until every surgery is done and look for a new job/live a new life/etc.

well, I got antsy and decided "screw it", so here I am: One semester left, going full time at both work and school. total time: 3.5 years from coming out to full time.

I realize this is not an encouraging number; that said keep in mind I am a big baby, and I put it off for as long as I felt I could out of fear.

Quote from: Handy on December 31, 2014, 11:53:06 PM
I realize this is not an encouraging number; that said keep in mind I am a big baby, and I put it off for as long as I felt I could out of fear.

Honestly, I find any number that ends with being full time to be extremely encouraging...

I lived full time 3 years before I took the first pill. Just do it :P

I was fulltime for close to 5 years before I was alowed to start HRT... Technically you need to be fulltime 1 year before being alowed to start HRT if you follow the law, at least in my country... But it took about 3 years of burocracy.... The previous two years... Well lets say I went fulltime immediately for two reasons.... I didnt mind not having pills yet, I just had to be me and that couldnt wait.... Also.... The idea of being "part-time" was just... No. Not only would people doubt me... I'd doubt myself....


I guess it's different for each person..... But if I could be me 100% of the time for 5 years before HRT... The idea of starting before is a bit absurd.... Not to mention that you should  live and know what to expect, how society will treat you and experience reality and inequality first hand before you take the big step... Not after as you will not be prepared.



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Quote from: bluebirdx88 on January 01, 2015, 09:45:21 AM
Not to mention that you should  live and know what to expect, how society will treat you and experience reality and inequality first hand before you take the big step... Not after as you will not be prepared.

This I'm not sure I agree with.  I thought the whole idea of punishing us by imposing RLE before HRT to make sure we are tough enough was long since discredited.  Society would react to a pre-HRT me in a vastly different manner to a post-HRT me; at least I'd have a fair shot at passing post-HRT.  Exposing myself to ridicule deliberately doesn't work - in fact, it pushes me towards staying male and unhappy (and would lead to eventual suicide.)  I don't need to prove my trans-ness to anyone by making life more uncomfortable than necessary.  We're not monks and suffering in no way shows devotion.

Maybe that's me being a wuss.  Or simply knowing that I'd rather integrate quietly rather than with a huge "I'm trans, so get used to it" fanfare. The less attention I can bring to myself, the better.  Thirty years of shame and embarrassment takes more than a little effort to get over.

Although as this thread highlights, the idea that everyone is staring at me is probably just my imagination.  Confidence...

Quote from: Brenda E on January 01, 2015, 10:03:58 AM
This I'm not sure I agree with.  I thought the whole idea of punishing us by imposing RLE before HRT to make sure we are tough enough was long since discredited.  Society would react to a pre-HRT me in a vastly different manner to a post-HRT me; at least I'd have a fair shot at passing post-HRT.  Exposing myself to ridicule deliberately doesn't work - in fact, it pushes me towards staying male and unhappy (and would lead to eventual suicide.)  I don't need to prove my trans-ness to anyone by making life more uncomfortable than necessary.  We're not monks and suffering in no way shows devotion.

Maybe that's me being a wuss.  Or simply knowing that I'd rather integrate quietly rather than with a huge "I'm trans, so get used to it" fanfare. The less attention I can bring to myself, the better.  Thirty years of shame and embarrassment takes more than a little effort to get over.

Although as this thread highlights, the idea that everyone is staring at me is probably just my imagination.  Confidence...

As I said... Each person is different, and this was the case for me..... Passing was never an issue... Matter of fact I generally assume everyone clocks me even when its not always the case.... It was never something shameful or embarassing to me and alas it was never a stigma or a punishment... I don't hide what I am..

As a matter of fact... Yes I still find it impossible to be employed due to being trans... But socially? The violence, insults, stares and covering their children's eyes stopped way before HRT.... Confidence is a lot more important than pills in that regard and you can only gain that by starting to value yourself as a woman.... Which won't be worth much if you're getting into male attire and social position.


PS: As stated before this is true to my experience and isn't meant to pressure anyone or cause an argument...

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If I can make a suggestion. The important thing here is to do everything AT YOUR pace, and with what your comfortable with. Some here seem to wave there rainbow flag around like its a weapon, suggesting u need to do it now, that worked for them and thats great but suggesting its damaging for you to stay not fulltime is somewhat ludicrous, to me anyway.
Do what makes you feel feminine but allows you to continue your work for now, grow your confidence. Whether that be wearing female pants or underwear etc, getting your eyebrows done, whatever.....starting electrolysis(plz if u havent do it now its a 1-2year mission alone, and feeling femme and passing is alot easier without 'scuse me ladies Ive gotta shave before we go out o.O ), all that.....theres a million ways to take baby steps, build your confidence, and still stay gainfully employed(electrolysis alone is gonna cost thousands of dollars)
The  other thing is depending on your age, genetics, what you look like now and a big dollop of luck, you could take HRT for 5 years and apart from maybe slimming down(or getting fat) and having varying degree's of man boobs/girls boobs you might not change outwardly alot, thats a cold reality that ppl need to know. So thats what Im sorta saying with my view based on what you have said, that maybe the small steps are the way to go, becoz worse case scenario(pre-surgeries) its more about learning to accept YOU and not about what other ppl perceive. But hey you might get super lucky, get skinny grow huge boobs already have a femme face and be rocking a minnie mouse voice, even so if confidence is what holds you back, my suggestion still stands :)
PS I hope I dont sound like a negative bishe or that I have somehow offended someone, as has been said a gazillion times, these are just suggestions or reflections of personal experiences or whatever to help ppl. Everyone has there own unique experience and I hope you find the right and safe path for you to jump on. Good luck everyone in 2015!

Quote from: bluebirdx88 on January 01, 2015, 10:16:30 AMPS: As stated before this is true to my experience and isn't meant to pressure anyone or cause an argument...

Never thought you were being argumentative - and your advice is well taken.  Given more confidence, I would happily go out and test the waters before I pump myself full of hormones and spend all this time and money on transitioning.  (Not that it would stop me transitioning, but at least I'd be more prepared for how people react.)

But the thought of stepping out as fully-female right now scares the hell out of me.  Even though HRT has softened my look up a little bit, I'm one of those people who will never go out until I can pass fairly well.  Too timid, unfortunately.  And there's so many bold girls in this thread who went full time before even starting hormones, it's making me look a little delicate to be honest.

So yes, although I started the thread thinking that I'd be in good company with a bunch of other girls who waited until the last minute to go full time, it seems I'm in the minority.  Most of you went full time so much earlier and survived with all your limbs still attached.  It's making me wonder whether I should stop hiding who I really am and start to take bigger and bolder steps to show everyone else the happy girl I really am. :)

Hi Brenda

I think you should do what you want to do when you want to do it. 

I've been on HRT for nearly a year now although I was going out for a few months before starting.  I'm tall, well-built, and my facial hair is quite dark and dense.

I persisted going out until August, but found the constant looks and, at times, outright ridicule extremely unsettling and my confidence was shot to pieces.  I started to think that maybe transitioning wasn't really something I would be able to bare, and to find accommodation with my GD with controlling my body hair and expressing my feminine side fore freely in a male life.  I like what HRT does for me and how it is changing my body, so I kept it up, and continued laser too because I really don't like facial hair.

Four months on, some time off work (at last!), and I got the desire to try again. I'm surprise  at just how much HRT and laser have done for me and my passability seems to have improved a lot.

It's easy to say, but patience is what's required.  Let the changes happen, test the waters every now and then and see how you feel.  For a variety of reasons, the happiest place for all of us need not be full transition right from the start.

Quote from: Brenda E on January 01, 2015, 10:03:58 AM
  Society would react to a pre-HRT me in a vastly different manner to a post-HRT me; at least I'd have a fair shot at passing post-HRT.  Exposing myself to ridicule deliberately doesn't work

Honestly, this is the attitude that will keep you from ever "passing". I honestly was never ridiculed, even when I couldn't pass on a bet. I would hate to have to go through life worrying if I was 100% passing all the time. 

Quote from: bluebirdx88 on January 01, 2015, 10:16:30 AM
As I said... Each person is different, and this was the case for me..... Passing was never an issue... Matter of fact I generally assume everyone clocks me even when its not always the case.... It was never something shameful or embarassing to me and alas it was never a stigma or a punishment... I don't hide what I am..

As a matter of fact... Yes I still find it impossible to be employed due to being trans... But socially? The violence, insults, stares and covering their children's eyes stopped way before HRT.... Confidence is a lot more important than pills in that regard and you can only gain that by starting to value yourself as a woman.... Which won't be worth much if you're getting into male attire and social position.

+ 1000 for this post. "Confidence is a lot more important than pills in that regard and you can only gain that by starting to value yourself as a woman."

Quote from: Brenda E on January 01, 2015, 05:56:36 PM

But the thought of stepping out as fully-female right now scares the hell out of me.....

It's making me wonder whether I should stop hiding who I really am and start to take bigger and bolder steps to show everyone else the happy girl I really am. :)

It scared the hell out of all of us. I'm not saying it was an easy think to do. But it's like most things in my life I was scared to do, once I did it I was like "Wow, I thought this was gonna be really bad". You likely will run into a few rude people, but I found it would be like some guy working at a burger place and I would just think "Why should I get upset because some LOSER wants to be rude?" Once your confidence ramps up, you get clocked less and less.

I will say, I would 1000% be more concerned about your voice than HRT. Having a decent voice is WAY more important than taking some pills.

Hi Brenda;
The first time I transitioned, I went full time 1 week after been made redundant for my high flying International Sales job and about  1 year after starting HRT. I lived as a woman full time for nearly 2 years, but then due to financial and family concerns had to de-transition. The mistake I made was not concentrating on the facial hair removal. These days  on my second transition I am working on things differently. I have a big focus on getting things done right. For instance:-

• I am working hard on Laser and Electrolysis on my face.
  I am getting laser treatments on my décolleté, upper thighs, bikini line, top of pubis and underarms;
  I am getting deportment training
  I am getting a lot of beauty treatments and really looking after my skin and complexion
  I had a Colour Analysis down and got professional advice on clothes and make up that suited me best. I ended up completely changing my colours and wardrobe
  I am starting voice training this year
  I am starting dancing lessons in 2015
  I am socialising myself as female about 60% of the time
  I am trying to focus on making women friends
  I am not actively looking to date

How soon before I am back full time. Not sure maybe end 2015 or early 2016. It all depends on the hair removal progress, but I am getting there and generally pass most of the time with just an occasional fail.
Judith

Quote from: Brenda E on January 01, 2015, 10:03:58 AM
This I'm not sure I agree with.  I thought the whole idea of punishing us by imposing RLE before HRT to make sure we are tough enough was long since discredited.  Society would react to a pre-HRT me in a vastly different manner to a post-HRT me; at least I'd have a fair shot at passing post-HRT.  Exposing myself to ridicule deliberately doesn't work - in fact, it pushes me towards staying male and unhappy (and would lead to eventual suicide.)  I don't need to prove my trans-ness to anyone by making life more uncomfortable than necessary.  We're not monks and suffering in no way shows devotion.

Maybe that's me being a wuss.  Or simply knowing that I'd rather integrate quietly rather than with a huge "I'm trans, so get used to it" fanfare. The less attention I can bring to myself, the better.  Thirty years of shame and embarrassment takes more than a little effort to get over.

Although as this thread highlights, the idea that everyone is staring at me is probably just my imagination.  Confidence...

(I hope I don't offend anyone, this post isn't directed at anyone, but this is just something I strongly believe in so kinda had to post something. This is just my personal opinion based on my life, experiences, beliefs etc, I know everyone's situation and beliefs and journeys and such are different..)


I see it the same as you, Brenda. I got into a few I guess little arguments over it a few months ago with a few health professionals. To me it is crazy insane, almost criminal, to force someone to do RLE prior to starting hrt. I don't need to prove anything to them or anybody. I am an adult, I am smart, I know what hrt does and doesn't do, the risks and potential benefits it can have and I know what I want.

Hrt isn't gonna do miracles, make any and everyone 100% passable by itself, but it definitely is a piece of the puzzle, definitely helps. This is tough enough as it is, so any and everything that can make it easier, more likely to succeed, should be explored, sought after and allowed.

I am definitely gonna do any and everything I can do to improve my chances of success. Being 100% passable would definitely make things easier. Will I ever be that, even with hrt, I don't know, but if it makes me only 1% more passable, then I am 1% more likely to succeed in my mind. I say this because avoiding ridicule, insults, stares, violence, definitely increases my personal chances of having a successful transition.

Yes, I know many go full time without it, maybe out of need, maybe out of want, some maybe even pass without it, just as I am sure many don't, with or without it. I am guessing many just don't care what other people say, think, or do? Or get used to it? I don't know, but that is just not me, I just don't think it ever will be either, just kinda cannot ever imagining that being the case with me. So ya, based on my personal unique situation, experiences, beliefs, and just being me, I just think it is really wrong to withhold hrt until after x amount of RLE.

As others have said you go full time whenever you want and feel ready.

I personally put myself through RLE. I needed to make sure that I could do this without hormones and for my own sanity. I needed an outlet to express/be myself and I wasn't about to continue to pretend to be male 24/7 just because I wasn't on hrt. I worked on my look/presentation and just letting myself be me for the first time. I basically started to do all the things I missed out on that so many other women learn when they're growing up. So by the time I saw a therapist, she signed off on me starting hrt after the first session cause I had my voice down by then and was presenting female already even though it was only part time at that moment.

So thats my two cents on the RLE. I think it's a great step if you can do it prehrt! Cause either way you look at it, with or without hrt you have to go through that learning phase with yourself. Plus if you're able to do it, it just makes going into full time so much easier. I see so many of us struggle with the social aspect of our transitions more so than the physical stuff.

Quote from: Brenda E on January 01, 2015, 05:56:36 PM
But the thought of stepping out as fully-female right now scares the hell out of me. ....  I'm one of those people who will never go out until I can pass fairly well.

If you do not go out as fully female, how do you know if you will "pass"?

Most of "passing" is mannerisms, voice and appearance and those need constant practice. Natal women learn it from each other as they grow, but we also need to learn it and that means we need teachers - other women - and we need to practice, practice, practice.

I didn't have a problem with the approval process. My docs fast tracked me, of all things ...

I wouldn't expect less than caution really ... feel glad the profession has learned to keep a close eye on us.

It means I can trust my docs ... imagine if it was treated like ADD/ADHD

At the time I felt like doing this was a huge gamble ... glad for the slowly-slowly approach now.

Quote from: kelly_aus on December 31, 2014, 03:15:54 AM
I was supposed to wait until after hormones?

Absolute pearler! Lol