Just so you guys know how lucky you are, here's the deal in my part of the world.
For starters, even getting a name change is a court procedure for which you need to get an attorney and in my own case, while my employers are being very supportive of my transition, they won't allow me to transtion on the job until my change of gender is officially recognized by the state ie. I get my birth certificate changed.
This requires a fully fledged legal procedure which is going to cost me about 3000$. I also need to provide conclusive proof that I have made
irreversible physical changes which many jurisdictions interpret as meaning providing proof that you have had GRS.
I presently just don't have the time to do GRS and, for professional reasons, won't before next summer at the earliest. So I'm going to make my filing, providing proof that I have done FFS (certificat from my surgeon along with before and after photos), proof of my HRT including lab results for the last couple of years, letter from a psychiatrist attesting to the reality of my GID, a letter from my employers insisting on how important it is for me to have my ID's aligned with my (obviously feminine) appearance, a whole bunch of testimonial letters from family, friends etc attesting to that fact that I already live comfortably as a woman etc. etc..
Even with all of this, given recent jurisprudence, it is very unlikely that my request will be accepted without GRS and I will almost certainly have to wait until next summer's planned GRS before I can see this procedure through.
Not a comfortable position to be in as my employers already consider that I am too feminine looking to meet clients, be present at Tradefairs etc.. while still presenting legally as a male. They actually said this in the letter they provided me with and between that and being physically present at the court hearing regarding my case (so the judge can actually see me), I might just squeeze through.
Otherwise though, since end of the day, it is now just a question of time, I guess I can hang in for another ten months if required...
Hugs
Donna
P.S. Once I actually have my legal gender change, another marathon will begin to get my passport, ID, driver's licence and social security status changed...
