My name is Lita and I'm a transgender Male to Female.

I'm from Indiana and i just got a email saying i can be in hormones and still drive a semi truck.

So my question is what are the rules on HRT in the state of Indiana?

I was seeing if therapist and she told me I had to go three months of therapy and I had to be dressing and acting the rule of a female before I would be given hormone shots. But just today after talking with a paramedic friend of mine he told me I do not have to wait for the full three months and in fact I could be on hormones right now.

chould you tell me what is true and what is not and if you happen to know the rules and laws of Indiana can you please post a link of that too for me.

Sincerely yours

MSTR.LitaMacWolf

Hi!

Welcome to Susan's    Great to have you here - looking forward to seeing you around the forum.

I can't help you with Indiana law but generally people do not need to present as female for any set period before starting HRT. Maybe find a doctor who has more of a clue as that one doesn't seem to have one at all.

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Grace

I don't know Indiana law specifically, but I would doubt they have any say in it.  I would guess that the three month rule is hers and has nothing to do with the state.  I think most gender therapists have determined that it is inhumane and risky to withhold needed treatment.  The only thing I think you have to do is meet the criteria of the doctors who will be providing you care.  This is for your protection and theirs.  They can't prescribe medications that they are unsure of.  I would seek out a therapist who specializes in transgender issues, and let them guide you.  I found mine on the psychology today website, but later found that she was listed with the local transgender spectrum group as well.  She has been very supportive and helpful with planning for HRT and recommending endos to work with.

I found my transgender therapist on psychology today also and she is a transgender therapist.

Im looking into other therapist now.

it hurts to know she was lying to me.

Quote
I was seeing if therapist and she told me I had to go three months of therapy and I had to be dressing and acting the rule of a female before I would be given hormone shots. But just today after talking with a paramedic friend of mine he told me I do not have to wait for the full three months and in fact I could be on hormones right now.

That was the old way of doing things. If I remember correctly they used to require a year of "real life experience", then it went down to 3 months, now it's not required. A person could get what is known as "informed consent" rather than actually diagnosed with GID (Gender Identity Disorder--which is no longer a disorder per the DSM (dr's guide to medical conditions).

Quote from: MSTR.LitaMacWolf on April 07, 2015, 08:08:20 PM
I found my transgender therapist on psychology today also and she is a transgender therapist.

Im looking into other therapist now.

it hurts to know she was lying to me.

Often it's not lying, it's more of a misinformed/uninformed opinion. Sometimes medical people don't keep up on the latest trends.

Standards of Care Volume 7 is what is generally used now. I don't believe the laws of any state override medical protocols...but then, I am not a doctor nor a lawyer.

Whoa!  I don't know that she was lying to you, but I would definitely look into whether it is true or not.  Maybe look up a transgender support group in Indianapolis and ask them.  Someone there should know for sure.  I live in Missouri, it doesn't get much more repressive than this state, and I know that it is totally up to the therapist here.

She's interpreting WPATH guidelines in her own unique way. This is not dictated by state rules. You do not require three months RLE.

Definitely NOT true...  I'm in Indianapolis and my therapist was ready to write my letter after only a few visits.  I'm not aware of any "Indiana specific" rules at all honestly. 

Hope this helps!

Hi Lita, welcome 

I'm not familiar with US and Indiana rules...
With commitment you need to do what you need to do and if desired remain as is until you are comfortable to move to the next stage.

L Katy 

Hi Lita and welcome to Susan's.

I would seek out another therapist and I would look for a gender therapist. Also, talk to a LGBT center and find out if your state is informed consent. Group is a great place to find out information too.

In PA it is an informed consent state. Where I go, usually, they do a blood test then when the results come back they will write a script for HRT.

I was fragile so I had to wait 4 months then another one due to scheduling for HRT. It was the correct thing to do under the circumstances for me, at that time. I also was not allowed to go to group until I had  8 months of therapy and was able to handle being confronted with some of the types of issues that arise in group. Again a great call, because I was confronted with the very issues I was struggling with myself several times the first few sessions in group.

I express when in the community but not at work, yet. So if I go to my PCP ( they treat thousands of trans in Philly) from work I am not expressing and I am on HRT for 22 months.

When you are ready for something and can handle it then do it.

Quote from: Emjay on April 08, 2015, 06:12:28 AM
Definitely NOT true...  I'm in Indianapolis and my therapist was ready to write my letter after only a few visits.  I'm not aware of any "Indiana specific" rules at all honestly. 

Hope this helps!

Hallo Emjay.

I'm in the current process of connecting with a new therapist. Her name is Bickel.