Susan's Place Transgender Resources

So I arrived at the courthouse for my hearing as my full-time female self in a fierce wind and rain, clutching for dear life my umbrella in one hand and my prettiest skirt in the other. Walked up the steps while the sheriff's deputies at the top merrily watched, enjoying the view of the ladies struggling with the wind. Overheard one deputy talking to another as I passed how much he enjoyed windy days. And me with the additional burden of a wig I prayed would stay intact and my file of papers and purse under my arm. I made it inside, amazingly, and through the security which included being wanded both front and back while passing through the metal detector. Dignity intact, I headed straight to the ladies room to compose myself and my appearance. I took a deep breath and looked at myself in the mirror, acknowledging to myself the accomplishment of where I was and how far I had come to be standing there alone in the courthouse ladies bathroom. I had made it and was within the hour of standing before the judge and public to declare my identity.

I went to the sixth floor and located the small courtroom where my hearing was and sat in a chair along the wall, back straight, legs crossed, head held high ...both excited in the aliveness of what I was doing and empowered. I was smiling and very happy. A contrast from the other poor souls there for divorce with looks of sadness and misery. After waiting for 15 minutes in the hall with the other people who had cases to be heard, the judge's clerk arrived, wheeling her cart full of case files. A line quickly formed and since I knew identification may be an issue I waited to be last. I seemed to be the only person who was solo. Identification was required, so when it was my turn I presented my drivers license having my male name and appearance. It was an old picture taken many years earlier at double the weight I am now. I was 300 lbs when that picture had been taken and now standing before the clerk at 155lbs, a slender, attractive woman. Even though the ID and me don't match, the clerk said nothing after looking at it and kept it until after my case was finished.

They asked everyone to enter the courtroom and the bailiff explained the coming proceedings and etiquette. It was a small courtroom, as I said, and intimate. There were three long rows of pew-like seats and a few chairs. I sat in one of the single chairs against a wall, in my wet leather black heels, and waited for it to begin. Thinking about what questions the judge may have and the answers I would give. There were about 30 other people there waiting for cases. We did not have long to wait, as the judge entered several moments later and we all stood and took an oath of truthfulness with our arms raised, while she sat and looked at us. My heart was beginning to beat fast. I was ready.

The cases were called, one at a time, and the parties stood before the judge answering questions from her. The men looking miserable and a few of the women in tears. None of the cases were disputed and the judge granted divorce after divorce. About halfway through, the judge called out my full legal male name and I stood and walked before her, and said 'good morning, your honor'. She asked me about a dozen typical questions, including spelling out my new name and I said 'yes Ma'am' to each except for a question about fraud. She looked at me and smiled and granted the petition. I now had my new name, it was glorious. Valerie lives.

Congratulations Valerie.   ;D

BUT, but, but what about the ID?  Did you have to et a new one? and why would they keep it?



Janet

That is odd that the court would take your ID. I remember when I had my name changed I kept it until I went to the DMV and they took my old ID (not that I cared :D).

Congrats to you honey !!  A lovely story and well told !

In the UK you have the right to call yourself what you want.  It is easy to change your name by deed poll.   It is also possible to change your birth certificate and your passport to show your new gender.   This is a bit tougher as you have to show that you are living full time as a woman and have letters from your therapist and doctor.

I am at the stage where the deed poll has been registered and I have started to contact those organisations that need to know of my changed status.  I have started with my educational qualifications.   Next step is my driving licence, my bank and my mortgage company.   I am swithering as to whether I will tell my employer as I am likely to be made redundant in a reorganisation some time after April.

Small but important things are happening in my transition each is a small step towards the true me

Thank you for sharing, Valerie, and congratulations!

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fganjataz.com%2F01smileys%2Fimages%2Fsmileys%2FloopyBlonde-blinking.gif&hash=4545ddf8251cf9c32ae6074d56e48bc34a755857)Kristi

Being in a Commonwealth country and having transitioned before there was any legal recourse to change a birth certificate, I changed my name by giving notice (and a copy of the surgeon's letter for a few stuffy government agencies), similar to Pippa. I didn't bother with the court-ordered name change until 30 years later when I needed a passport, which required a birth certificate, which in turn required a court order to change the name.

So I picked up the required form from the court office, completed it, and took it back to the office to file it. I handed it to the lady behind the counter and she dryly ran though the process. The former and new names would be published in the Gazette (the government legal newspaper) and 30 days later the change would be processed by a judge in open court.

I asked the nice lady if it REALLY had to be published and that was the first time she actually read what was on the form. She stared at the form, stared at me, then back to the form in amazement and then motioned me over to a quiet corner of the office. Pointing at the old name on the form she stammered "Is this ..... Is this really ......." and I answered sheepishly "A long time ago." "Of COURSE it won't be published! It will be handled by a judge in chambers and then the record will be sealed." she assured me.

Two weeks later I had my court order, then a revised birth certificate, then a passport. All done and stealth still in tact.  ;D