So I've been looking at the insurance information with my family, and one of the requirements (if not waived by a therapist) is to live 1-2 years full time.

The document given to us defines this as acting in the desired gender role. I can see this as using correct bathrooms, filling out forms, preferred name (maybe?).

But what else? Is it required that I shave? Should I correct someone who uses an incorrect pronoun? What about clothes? Do I have to speak in a higher pitch? (Even if I'm not particularly far in my voice therapy?) Should I be wearing a bra even without breasts? Painting my nails?

Who exactly ends up defining this for insurance purposes?

Think this is the right section...

I think they mean changing your name and working and living as a woman 24/7.

Quote from: Heather on December 17, 2013, 10:07:20 AM
I think they mean changing your name and working and living as a woman 24/7.

Alright, name change

But what is it exactly meant by working and living as a woman? Must I be passing? Is it just what I put on forms? What I say if someone asks?

Quote from: Mogu on December 17, 2013, 10:19:54 AM
Alright, name change

But what is it exactly meant by working and living as a woman? Must I be passing? Is it just what I put on forms? What I say if someone asks?

No you don't need to pass it helps but it's not necessary. You just means you have to work as your real self no going in there and trying to still be a guy. And living as a woman is just that living as a woman your family knows your friends knows. It's just at no point in the day you should have to present as a male.

In most cases, fulltime constitutes presenting yourself as a woman 24/7 to everyone if you are mtf, socially and employment wise if you happen to be employed. It doesn't mean you have to "pass" or that everyone genders you correctly all the time.  I think its about intent more than perception by others.


Although an insurance company can easily make up their own definition of it. In that case, it would be best to consult with them to determine their particular requirements. Although I am not sure why they would have any real say in it so long as a therapist or other qualified medical professional has been satisfied that you are fulltime.

So if you apply for a job, and they assume you're a guy (for mtf) which means you're not passing, but still in the inbetween phase and trying your best. That counts?   

I thought it was moreso that they know you're TRYING the best you can to be yOU without hiding in fear. Legal or not, but still doing treatments and such.

It maybe in SOC v7, on the wiki. For me it was a commitment to living and working full time as me. My psychiatrist just signed off after 12 months. Here no need to name change etc, I was on HRT just lived as me. What I did and how I approached it was up to me.

To be honest and I may be in a minority here, I found it very useful. I faced problems and overcame them with support of course. I did get my name change and document changes but it was what I wanted. I was committed to being me anyway so it was very natural.

I think this "fulltime" is such a stupid term. And you can see why just by thinking about what is is supposed to mean. You quickly will find numerous ways to see it - calling yourself a new name is one of them, using that name for everything. But what really - was I fulltime the moment I dropped the male facade and acted like myself? The moment I asked everyone to call me my chosen name? The moment I started HT and my body changed? The moment I decided to cover facial hair in an effort to "pass"?
I think for many people the thought is "wearing female clothes and using makeup and get a female haircut". But thats rather superficial and stupid, fulfills sterotypes and whatnot. Sadly for some psychiatrists and for many TS this is still their thought at this. But I think that can easily be challenged and should be. Which is why I find this funny:

Quote from: big head horsey-face on December 17, 2013, 10:31:02 AM
Although an insurance company can easily make up their own definition of it. In that case, it would be best to consult with them to determine their particular requirements.

Do ask them. They will certainly sweat once you ask them for particular details and maybe challenge some of their assumptions about fulfilling gender sterotypes as these are politically incorrect and they cannot really force you to wear a skirt, require long hair or wearing makeup of you because they could not ask the same from any other woman - in fact you can argue that you are not a ->-bleeped-<- and have no interest in "dressing'" - and transvestitism is actually an exclusion criterium for transitioning. Then what do they ask for. In the end they should and would have to realize that they cannot really ask you a whole lot without being ridiculous. They can ask you to be "out" to everyone in the sense that you do use your new name and gender pronouns and at least ask from everyone you know to use them, introduce yourself by that iwith new people you meet and that you do some general stuff to support that presentation (e.g. not having a beard unless it is needed for electrolysis). But generally I would say all they can require really is what you most likely WANT to do anyways...