Susan's Place Transgender Resources

In some countries, its required to go trough 1 year (some times even more, sometimes not as long) of Real Life Experience to be able to (maybe) get Hormones. The sould-doc rates the success,... I guess you may already know it.
From what I have heard from ... victims and docs, you need to do things like come out everywhere, family, friends, work, use a new name, ...

so I dont know how it is at your place, but was it your choice? were you forced? what did you have to do?
could you just tell your sould-doc : yes ... sure... did everything you wanted - and then its done?

Well you might look up transgender groups of the respective countries and ask there.

As far as I have read quite a few countries change the practise due to being sued if people are attacked.

The UK is like this.  It's cruel.  Add to that a 16m wait for referal to GIC with possible months wait to be assessed locally first.  It can be pretty long before HRT.  It's not right.

I was RLE, for over the needed time, long before my first apointment, with proof, Since comming out, Ive never worn aything male. and started feeling good enough about myself, That I actually started volutiering, that same day.

When I got the information letter, going over the GIC carepathway, A year and a half later, at my first apointment I asked just what it was that would count as proof, they said some form of legal document, with preffered name on. and a working refference, I said what does that mean? they said if your unemployed register with a job agency under your preffered name, and or the jobcenter.

So I said, I thought as much, here is the numbre of the cumunty center were I voluntier in a charity shop. Here is my deed poll for you to copy, and a bank statement requested just after presenting the deedpoll at the bank. will that count.

They said yes.

Odly enough, RLE is only required for srs over here.

So no, I dont think it is possible to just say, Ive done it.
But yea, When I saw the RLE section, I Was like, good thing I already got this, Even the long waiting tme only works in my favour.

I chose to go full time before hormones, but I didn't have to wait terribly long for hormones. It was about 2 and a half months between the two. You hit the high points of what is required. Hugs
Mariah

it is a cruel and outdated practice that when applied to hormone treatment has almost universally been shown to be vastly more negitive than positive. The jury is still out on the whole GRS RLE but thats not one I have ever though to be a big problem, few people can afford surgery very quickly, where as hormones are in many cases far more important and take lots of time to do anything. Many trans people find passing as there prefered gender almost impossible pre hormones and what type of test can RLE be if the person in question is not being seen as the gender they are presenting as.

I live in Massachusetts USA, I saw a doctor once and they wanted to get my bloodpressure under control first, so two weeks later I went back and started blood pressure medication three weeks later I went back and they added a new medication for my blood pressure (it was dangerously high, like mid heart attack high) three weeks after that it was down a good amount and I started on a moderate dose of T blockers and Estrogen, almost a month later we upped my dose.

so for me it was about two months between first seeing my doctor and starting hormones, I had seen a therapist for like 6 months before that so a letter from him was easy. but all of this was before transisioning, in fact I was like two months in to HRT before I started telling more than a handful of carefully chosen friends.

Serena

Quote from: Valwen on August 25, 2015, 01:34:15 AM
it is a cruel and outdated practice that when applied to hormone treatment has almost universally been shown to be vastly more negitive than positive. The jury is still out on the whole GRS RLE but thats not one I have ever though to be a big problem, few people can afford surgery very quickly, where as hormones are in many cases far more important and take lots of time to do anything. Many trans people find passing as there prefered gender almost impossible pre hormones and what type of test can RLE be if the person in question is not being seen as the gender they are presenting as.

I live in Massachusetts USA, I saw a doctor once and they wanted to get my bloodpressure under control first, so two weeks later I went back and started blood pressure medication three weeks later I went back and they added a new medication for my blood pressure (it was dangerously high, like mid heart attack high) three weeks after that it was down a good amount and I started on a moderate dose of T blockers and Estrogen, almost a month later we upped my dose.

so for me it was about two months between first seeing my doctor and starting hormones, I had seen a therapist for like 6 months before that so a letter from him was easy. but all of this was before transisioning, in fact I was like two months in to HRT before I started telling more than a handful of carefully chosen friends.

Serena

wow, good path, seems like this part of the transition went all right.
If you want a doctor here, or talk with a psychologist (soul doc) about your problems, you may get a date to come in about a half year or later  :icon_anger:

Getting to the point of starting the whole process, the therapist/psychologist needs to know year for one year, and then you need to be RLE 24/7 for (I read it up) more than one year.

So the whole process is kind of ...  :icon_chainsaw:

To my knowledge in those countries (mostly former E-European bloc) people just resort to self-medicating, also because it is often difficult to find knowledgeable endocrinologists either.

personally, I changed my name first thing. Before telling anyone, before calling a therapist or even knowing I needed one, before any doctors or whatever. When I saw the therapist, they put the date of my name change as first day of RLE.  It worked well in my favor and I wasn't even asked about it much.

1 year isn't strictly required in the UK.

From my experience, it's based on how far along you are and how much you've figured out (on your own sadly) how to live convincingly in your gender.   For some people that might take 1 year, for others it might be less (or more).

For example, for MtF, have you had your body/facial hair removed (or are undergoing this process)?  Have you learned how to dress appropriately?  Wear convincing makeup?  Pierced your ears?  How long have you used your new name, and come out to everyone?  Etc.

I was able to start official HRT at my second GIC appointment (only 3 months after I first attended the GIC), which they said is "standard".  But, I had already been getting RLE on my own.  When they first saw me I was like 8-10 months into "figuring out" how to live as my gender, getting laser, etc., and was only 4 months full-time.

i hate to sound like a troll or worse,but i have always agreed with rle,for living fem for a yr. lets one know if srs is right for them. the reasoning is too many cders transition for the wrong reasons and later regret it,i knew a ts who transitioned and regretted it for they werent prepared for rle at all and when it hit,it hit hard and she was trying to transition back the last i heard.

for me i weighed the pros and cons and found if i transitioned i would be a murderer for i would be killing off a innocent party who does not deserve being murdered,this is what transitioning means to me. ive had gd all my life but learned over 46 yrs on how to balance the 2 sides,what helps is gender neutral clothes and with my wifes approval im now wearing panties 24/7 and this has helped alot.

Yes it is possible to go through faster in the UK,  depending  on the gic you end up at and who you see there.

I had all documents changed Inc passport, name and gender marker, was on hormones from the Internet  and social transitioned for a substantial period before hand. I entered from. Seeing a private councillor,  who told me I was a straight forward case,  no complications and would go straight through. (no drugs,  drink, doubts, etc.)  It still took over a year for them to get me to even get to see their endo.  They said it was because they do the same steps for everyone regardless of stage or situation.

Uneven standards are one of the problems of the system.

Quote from: kira21 ♡♡♡ on August 28, 2015, 03:35:36 PM
Yes it is possible to go through faster in the UK,  depending  on the gic you end up at and who you see there.

I had all documents changed Inc passport, name and gender marker, was on hormones from the Internet  and social transitioned for a substantial period before hand. I entered from. Seeing a private councillor,  who told me I was a straight forward case,  no complications and would go straight through. (no drugs,  drink, doubts, etc.)  It still took over a year for them to get me to even get to see their endo.  They said it was because they do the same steps for everyone regardless of stage or situation.

Uneven standards are one of the problems of the system.

at least UK has this kind of system...
So you were able to change everything before even seing a doctor for that case? wow.... internesting whats possible over there, even getting hormones trough the internet :D
Im sure I could get it too, but Im afraid I could f*** myself up, not knowing how much I should take and so on.
Very awesome that you did all those things before that, I think I wouldnt be able to, would be kind of dangerous walking around like a boy/girl, society doesnt like that.

Quote from: Lebedinaja on August 28, 2015, 04:59:31 PM
I think I wouldnt be able to, would be kind of dangerous walking around like a boy/girl, society doesnt like that.

Especially in the first 6 months or so, it was much easier for me to walk around like a tomboy.  Fem clothes that still looked a bit masculine like collared shirts.  Society seems pretty happy with girls who looks boyish, rather than a boy who looks girly (a "man in a dress" being one example).

The trouble with the GIC, is that for the most part its a transexual factory.

The getting through the system is faster, but prolonged at the same time with regards to state of transition.

Example, if you have already been RLE for over a year, that isnt taken into consideration, untill that stage of the process. So yes if you can allready supply what they  need, after that things will speed up, but, you can also look at, the waiting for that stage of the process as un-necessary time.

Basicaly, All time prior going in, plus all time waiting, this can be see as having to of lived full time for years, before getting past that stage.

And what i ment is, the process favours, pre-op transexuals. due to none-op transexuals needing extra evaluations.
When one would think, that not needing the processing for srs would mean exiting the factory sooner. When what it actually causes is daleys in the previous processing stages making it take longer to get to the stage of, you dont need this part, your done.

what takes up the time is the processing. A waiting time is to be exspected. But the ok you dont need this, skips that part, and makes you wait for, another person to say, you dont need this part, instead of a person being able to say, you dont need all these parts, but you need this one, so we will move you forwads to here.

We have to be Processed though each stage, even if all that processing does, is say ok you dont need this. Because different people are employed for each stage, and moving forwards is up to them you after a consultation with them. Because one employee cant bypass another employee.

And that is the distress, because we end up, waiting to be told to wait.

But the good things is, apart from RLE we realy dont have anything in the ststem, that says you got to have this before this. The processing exsist to creat paperwork that say, hormones were offered and declined and/or All of the effects including the risks concerning hormoans were made clear and the patient understanding this, still wants them.

But RLE for hormoans? That I cant get my head around the need for.

To clarify, my use of the word we, is reffering to any and all under the processing of the UK seacroft
"Gender Identity Center"

This is the case here in Sweden, although I think some people they can get access to hormones during the RLE-year. I think it depends from person to person. I'm not sure I like this idea, but I think there's a point with it, in that that they want to make sure that transitioning is really right for you. It's a long process tho.

That does sound really cruel. I don't think I could bring myself to go out into public dressed as a girl if I didn't have the voice, the breasts, and the butt. What's between my legs wouldn't be so important, but without those things... no way.

I only went to gate keepers after already changed my name and been living fulltime for years so they just skipped it.

I think the system needs changing to suit non binary but theres nothing wrong with living as target gender on their terms or yours, sooner the better right?

Quote from: Venus on September 11, 2015, 09:41:07 PM
That does sound really cruel. I don't think I could bring myself to go out into public dressed as a girl if I didn't have the voice, the breasts, and the butt. What's between my legs wouldn't be so important, but without those things... no way.

Eeeeerrrrrrrr you just described the last 35 years of my life, no breast, no butt and low voice  :embarrassed:

Quote from: Dena on September 11, 2015, 10:20:31 PM
Eeeeerrrrrrrr you just described the last 35 years of my life, no breast, no butt and low voice  :embarrassed:

Sorry!!! I didn't mean that in regards to anyone else. That's just for me personally, how I feel. I'd just never have the confidence for it, you know? In that respect, that makes you a heck of a lot stronger than me.

Quote from: Venus on September 12, 2015, 10:23:29 AM
Sorry!!! I didn't mean that in regards to anyone else. That's just for me personally, how I feel. I'd just never have the confidence for it, you know? In that respect, that makes you a heck of a lot stronger than me.

I just posted it to show you can find happiness without being the perfect woman. I did fix the voice this summer and I know other surgery exist to fix the rest but I am happy the way I am and comfortable with it enough to make fun of my deficiencies. It's far more important how you feel about yourself and the emotional image you project than what your body looks like. I see CIS women in the store now who are as tall as I am and their body isn't much different but we all believe in ourself and that's what makes it work.

The Netherlands here. If I read the docs correctly, they require three weeks RLE. But there is still 18 months mandatory program (+months wait for it to start) before one can get into HRT. That is, the program has to take at least the 18 months.

My position, being unable to sign informed consent and get started is nonsense. Not having private sector where one can pay to speed things up is also nonsense.

1 Year of RLE required in germany, also you have to wait insanely long for appointments.
From the point where you call them and ask for an appointment to the point where you are in their office, you are most likely to be 1 year older.

It is cruel but there is no avoiding it, especially when you are not an adult yet, and it's not like male puberty is going to stop just because you have to wait. I could cry.

Quote from: Martine A. on September 12, 2015, 11:59:43 AM
The Netherlands here. If I read the docs correctly, they require three weeks RLE. But there is still 18 months mandatory program (+months wait for it to start) before one can get into HRT. That is, the program has to take at least the 18 months.

My position, being unable to sign informed consent and get started is nonsense. Not having private sector where one can pay to speed things up is also nonsense.

Well the privat sector you have.
You have a choice of docs and for example can go to London.

Quote from: Laura_7 on September 12, 2015, 01:08:56 PM
Well the privat sector you have.
You have a choice of docs and for example can go to London.

Then I should travel to UK every now and then to get meds. I am with non-EU passport. Then comes the question can I carry hormones without (local) prescription being non citizen of both countries. A whole nasty can of worms I'd rather not open. But it is an option.

Would sooner do that with Germany (or Belgium, do they have it?). /hey hey the Netherlands here/

If there is private practice that can give me all I need in the Netherlands, please the address.

Quote from: Martine A. on September 12, 2015, 01:32:55 PM
The prob is then I should travel to UK every now and then to get meds. I am with non-EU passport. Then comes the question can I carry hormones without (local) prescription being non citizen of both countries. A whole nasty can of worms I'd rather not open. But it is an option.

Would sooner do that with Germany (or Belgium, do they have it?). /hey hey the Netherlands here/

If there is private practice that can give me all I need in the Netherlands, please the address.

There are docs in the us who do hormone pellet implants.
You need two to three flights a year.
Upside is no hassle with meds.

You might alternatively try spain or france. It can be convieniently reached via car or train. And if you have a copy of the prescription for example there is nothing likely.

Another possibility might be they send you a recipe, or you have the meds sent to you via pharmacy after an initial visit of your doc. After all its a recipe in your name. What you need is a doc to issue it.

Concerning docs in the netherlands you might ask transgender groups there.

Summa summarum,

1) Ops are one timers, they can be done anywhere, the concern is hrt and it not depending on good luck and shady doings that might be affected by countries 'fixing their systems' in the future. The supply has to be reliable and good quality.

2) If there is a private practice in the Netherlands, please share. There are actual barriers to what one can do with my passport otherwise. For the time being.

I am in one of these countries and it is called Slovakia or Slovak Republic. There is at least 1 year RLE rule before HRT and there is apparently no way how to reduce it :/ . I am living 4th month as me and have no idea how to deal with the waiting time. It is so dysphoric waiting and presenting because every other day I am under influence of testosterone and every day I will look very slightly worse than the day before and I know that these changes will be irreversible. I already had endo appointment, but because of rules, I cannot get hormones prescribed :( .

You also cannot change name or gender until you change your gender by orchi or GRS. I am studying right now and it is really hard to have your old name on all documents and presenting already as a female. Another problem is public transportation, etc. .

Forced RLE before HRT is very cruel and I am one of the luckier ones that I can get pass as a female.

Quote from: Venus on September 11, 2015, 09:41:07 PM
That does sound really cruel. I don't think I could bring myself to go out into public dressed as a girl if I didn't have the voice, the breasts, and the butt. What's between my legs wouldn't be so important, but without those things... no way.

Yeah for me too that's pretty much it.

If I didn't pass at least most of the time it wasn't going to be worth it.

Frankly, hormones are somewhat overrated for trans women. That is, the effects are pretty subtle. So the answer to the question "How to?" is the same whether it's in regard to RLE before hormones or after hormones.

Laser/electrolysis doesn't require RLE — or hormones.

Changing your hairstyle and your style in general doesn't require RLE — or hormones.

Working on making your voice reflect your gender better doesn't require RLE — or hormones.

In short, many significant parts of transition can be accomplished without HRT or RLE.

Like I said, I'm speaking for trans women; for trans guys hormones are a bigger deal. Also, forcing RLE before hormones is a terrible idea, just because forcing trans people to jump through pointless hoops is a terrible thing to do in general.

But as far as hoops go, it's not really as bad as is might seem if you're expecting that hormones are magic pixie dust that will turn you into Cinderella. Unfortunately, for trans women, they are not.

To each their own but HRT was night and day for me.

Back when I transitioned, it was still common practice to do a 1-2 year RLT before hormones and surgeries. Nowadays this has changed a bit and hormones are often given after a few months or weeks.
I kind of challenged my psych back then about what he understands as RLT. I was out to my friends and family months before I came to him, but I was not dressing very feminine - he never dared to tell me what to wear though. I think I would have asked him why I should do that if other women will also just wear jeans, if he thinks I am a transvestite ;) - so he was ok with me basically just being out and being called with my new name by those who understood that it is important to me.  Most other things he could have asked for, I would have been able to say that this is not what other girls of my age (23 back then) would do , or that it is not in my hands how other people see or call me.

I did have the advantage however to get hormones earlier by a different route than the therapist, so my body did change and made me "pass" within the time I saw the psych, no matter what clothes I was wearing then. Also letting go of old trained "male" habits/behavior, changing my voice and having laser done in the face on my own money did help a lot.

I would not have wanted to wait for another year with my body becoming more male in that time, but if I would have to do so, I would challenge the concept and details of the "RLE" - what does it exactly mean - one cannot force others to accept oneself in the new gender role - so it cannot depend on that acceptancy by others, it also cannot depend on oneself wearing special clothes or makeup since this is not something other women would always do either.... so what remains if you strip all of this ? Being out to everyone basically  - and that can be done without changing a whole lot otherwise if that would be too awkward...

I'm a bit late to this post but I want to chime in anyway.  As far as I'm concerned,  rle started the day I legally changed my name and dropped my old persona completely.  Everyone who knows me knows me as Dani and a trans woman. How I choose to walk,talk and present on a daily basis has no bearing on my gender and I simply refuse to jump through those hoops.
I am happy to say that my GIC also accepted this date and has not so far questioned my decision to turn up for two of five appointments so far presenting more gender neutral than female.

*
Stanford had a nifty program in its day during the 1970s and 1980s.

The patient spent an introductory week meeting with Stanford Medical Center physicians and counsellors, were sent home to meet with local doctors for hormones and counselling, they began their RLT and their clock started ticking, they returned to Stanford at two years for an evaluation, and they qualified for GCS / SRS if they demonstrated success in their transitioned role.  Otherwise, the patient returned home if they needed more time; they would return to Stanford when they were ready.

*

This all sounds very foreign to me, because I did not seek medical help in the US, and there were nothing like WPATH or other protocols in existence.  I was living at the time in a Mediterranean country known for its beautiful women and obsession with sex.  For married couples, the almost mandatory rule was twice a day.

There being no protocols floating around, and no gatekeepers or therapists, the surgeon designed his own, which, to me, seemed very logical given the culture in which we were living.  First, heavy duty T blockers.  If you could accept being unable to function as a male with out freaking out (considered by normal males to be the worst possible fate), that meant you were ready for the next step, feminization.  A good healthy does of estrogen for several months, during this time the emotional adjustments were made and and skin softening and fat distribution  begun.  If you were still on board with the new feelings and bodily changes, then directly to SRS.  In the surgeon's opinion, which I shared, "real life" as a female was impossible without female sex organs.  You continued with the estrogen after SRS and as the bodily changes became more obvious (breasts and facial fat), your RLE became easier, and without a source of  T to block, faster.  Should you need plastic surgery to the face or a BA, that was the speciality of Parisian surgeons, the only place at the time where trans in Europe could get post-op surgical care.

Regrets?  Well, sorry, it was your choice.  You can present to the public any way you want, but underneath that, there is a vagina that you can use or not.  Learn to live with it.  Next.

It certainly seems as if the whole process has become much more bureaucratized with control shifting from the patient to the gatekeepers, and what then would have been called excessive concern for the "what ifs" in life.  And I still think the way I did it was the best way.  It has been a wonderful and full life after SRS.

The only regretful MtF trans I ever knew were the "bottom" gays who thought that the "top" would love them more if they transitioned.  With the trans no longer being the gender that the top preferred to have on the bottom, those relationships did not last -- but these trans soon moved into the life of a normal heterosexual woman, married, and lived happily ever after.  And lived long lives because they no longer were at risk during the early AIDS epidemic that decimated their former partners.

I sense that there is a lot of frustration with American and Brit pre-ops over the long delays imposed on them.  A very justifiable frustration, as I see it.  Some are good little girls and follow the rules, but for those who are not so good, there are workarounds that can be found out there in the big world.  Different systems work different ways.

That's the way it works in my country, too. Personally, I disagree with this practice. It sounds a bit...patronizing? I don't want other people to decide what's best for ME.

It happens after hrt though, before surgeries.

I live in Europe too.

QuoteThis is the case here in Sweden, although I think some people they can get access to hormones during the RLE-year. I think it depends from person to person. I'm not sure I like this idea, but I think there's a point with it, in that that they want to make sure that transitioning is really right for you. It's a long process tho.

I'd like to hear a bit more about that! The possibility to get hormones during RLE would be a relief, I think and help a lot.

QuoteThat does sound really cruel. I don't think I could bring myself to go out into public dressed as a girl if I didn't have the voice, the breasts, and the butt. What's between my legs wouldn't be so important, but without those things... no way.

Same here! I mean, I could be able to give a work to my body (corsets are wondeful for body shaping but one should be able to cope with it -CD experience-), but I can't bring myself to present as female with my face, facial hair (well, I could get that done), rather boyish/short hair (atm) and male appearance. I wouldn't feel...Legitimate.

QuoteNot having private sector where one can pay to speed things up is also nonsense.

I kind of get your point, but wouldn't that be elitist? I mean, for those who are penniless, it would create such frustration to know there are ways to speed things up and bypass some of the steps which are not affordable....

QuoteThen comes the question can I carry hormones without (local) prescription being non citizen of both countries. A whole nasty can of worms I'd rather not open. But it is an option.

I would love to hear more about getting hormones and, well, health care in general as non citizen in the country I reside.

QuoteI would not have wanted to wait for another year with my body becoming more male in that time, but if I would have to do so, I would challenge the concept and details of the "RLE" - what does it exactly mean - one cannot force others to accept oneself in the new gender role - so it cannot depend on that acceptancy by others, it also cannot depend on oneself wearing special clothes or makeup since this is not something other women would always do either.... so what remains if you strip all of this ?

Seems bold and I'm loving that way of thinking! But as to convice a professional, I don't know. My guess is that it wuld depend on the country you're in and how much they love/value bureaucracy. I come from France so I know a big deal about administration.

Oh, by the way, I can't remember where I read that in Norway, one needs to be straight after transition (for me MtF so with men) or would be denied the procedure (even after 1year+ wait). I'm definitely lesbian and that issue seems homophobic (which surprised me for a northern country) and without any sense? I haven't done any therapy yet but should I lie about my sexual preference? How not to be spotted then? And if someone could tell me that I'm absolutely wrong and that it would be OK to be lesbian, bi, whatever to transition in Norway, I would give you a thousand thanks!

In the UK the rules changed about 2 years ago.

When I first came out it was a requirement to do RLE to be eligible for starting HRT, I was refused hormones for 2 years simply because my eczema doesn't react well to make up, even though I wore eye make up I couldn't wear foundation to hide my 5 o'clock shadow & apparently I wasn't making enough effort!!

2 years ago the NHS changed their rules so RLE is no longer a requirement for HRT due to the risk involved if you struggle to pass.
RLE is however still a requirement for GRS in the UK on the NHS

For me I am happy to do the one year RLE it will help me go from 99% to 100% sure. My therapist said some doctors will prescribed hrt before a year passes which eased my mind but as of now I plan to follow my therapist's advice. I know we all go through this in our own ways and no one way is right or wrong.

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Quote from: KristyWalker on March 03, 2016, 11:33:19 PM
For me I am happy to do the one year RLE it will help me go from 99% to 100% sure. My therapist said some doctors will prescribed hrt before a year passes which eased my mind but as of now I plan to follow my therapist's advice. I know we all go through this in our own ways and no one way is right or wrong.

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I agree with what you say about RLE helping a person go from 99% sure to 100% certain but I disagree with what your therapist said about some doctors.

I was invited to a meeting with a private gp who is looking into trans issues within the nhs a few weeks ago. She stated that ALL doctors within the UK should be able to prescribe hrt without having to wait for the patient to have been seen by a gender therapist, the new NHS guidelines allow GP's to prescribe hrt to prevent a patient self medicating.
She explained that every gp should know the normal hormone levels for men & women, all they should need is a blood test to check a persons hormone levels before starting on a low dose of hrt.
She did explain that some GP's are unaware of the changes in the NHS guidelines which were changed for two main reasons:
1: To prevent patients taking the risk of self medicating
2: To prevent patients putting themselves at risk to access hrt (the main concern is those who need time on hrt to help with passing)

I am in the U.S so it may be different here

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Quote from: KristyWalker on March 04, 2016, 12:05:14 PM
I am in the U.S so it may be different here

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It's hard keeping up with changes in guidelines as they (the powers that be) love making the documents hard to digest, to quote my last GP after he researched the new guidelines  "dealing with NHS guidelines is like wading through waist deep treacle & this is the thickest treacle I've ever encountered"

I'm in the US. I didn't have to do a RLE first. I just had to tell them I was serious, agree to a one hour session with a therapist, and sign a form saying that I understood the risks. The hormones were a godsend, but I was at a point where I wanted to start the RLE without them anyway. I was sure I wouldn't survive the year if I didn't.

That's ridiculous I and many other trans girls have started hormones before going full time some people just need the hormones to feel more confident like me so you should be able to get them. The 1 year life experience is for the sex change. The doctor needs to know that living full time 1 year isn't what makes you transgender being transgender is having gender disphoria so as long as you are diagnosed with gender disphoria by a psychologist you should get the hormones whether you are full time or not. You could always stop hormones they aren't permanent I didn't go full time until I was in hormones for 6 months

sooo at the end it turned out quite different. Usually it's forced to do the RLT in my country, but my doc knows the endo, thinks that I don't need it and yes ... I will get it soon

Quote from: cheryl reeves on August 28, 2015, 12:56:39 PM
i hate to sound like a troll or worse,but i have always agreed with rle,for living fem for a yr. lets one know if srs is right for them. the reasoning is too many cders transition for the wrong reasons and later regret it,i knew a ts who transitioned and regretted it for they werent prepared for rle at all and when it hit,it hit hard and she was trying to transition back the last i heard.

for me i weighed the pros and cons and found if i transitioned i would be a murderer for i would be killing off a innocent party who does not deserve being murdered,this is what transitioning means to me. ive had gd all my life but learned over 46 yrs on how to balance the 2 sides,what helps is gender neutral clothes and with my wifes approval im now wearing panties 24/7 and this has helped alot.

Yes I get that, tho the OP's question was about a year RLE to qualify for hrt, not SRS and as far as I know wpath has long since changed from requiring the year RLE prior to being approved for hormones.

For my part I was put on HRT immediately on request as I came out generally and began allowing gender fluid signs in my daily appearance. At my age the health indications for IM estradiol are actually more positive than otherwise.

I'm not sure I can ever pass as female and I'm quite ambivalent about presenting as a 'handsome' woman. I'm equally sure I never want to spend another day passing as male but I will make an exception for my bio family who've been abusive my whole life.

The question of GRS will sort itself out in time with the surgical wait times running 2 years for the cutters I'm interested in, I'm content being on the fence on that decision for some time to come.

Actually for me it was also 1-2 years RLE time (in the UK btw), but the waiting list for NHS in Manchester region was 3.5 years just to get seen (Leeds Gender Clinic, that is)... so it was a ridiculous amount of time to wait.
You could always do what I do, but that will draw even more attention to you, people will stare more - I wear a bikers mask for a year now when I go out, but at least then I don't need to worry if I  pass or not, because people are curious to why I am wearing such a thing on my face, so there's that if you wanna try.