Hey everyone!

Well, I started my transition and I'm in the RLT. Now it's just a matter of getting the legal stuff done and I'll feel at least somewhat more comfortable.

I've decided to have my name change sealed (in WA State) and to request a new birth certificate (Oregon) rather than an amended one. I am going into a field where I will be working with people ordered by the justice system to interact with me. If I make a decision that they don't agree with, I fear being outed and having my future career and family life destroyed. My personal safety will also be a concern much of the time I'm working. So, I've decided I want to change everything and have it all sealed.

The SSA website says the only way to change your SSN is in cases of domestic violence. Has anyone had any luck having their SSN changed due to transsexual identificaion? I can see many parallels in the reasons why a DV victim would want their SSN changed and my reasons. Any advice?

Thanks!

Welcome Hannah, you may want to introduce yourself in the intro forum and give us some more background.


There are a loot of red flags in your post that need to be addressed, I need more information but the whole scenario doesn't make sense to me. Having to fear your life being destroyed if you are outed? That is a high stakes gamble.

And you just began transition. Sorry, but this does not compute.

I am afraid stealth in this day and age is not possible. There are too many records holding to much personal information in the hands of both private corporations, and the federal government. I think the best we can hope, is that we are uninteresting enough that no one bothers to look. Keep your head down, follow the party line, and you might be ok. Me personally I am too much of an activist and do not think that is something I could live with myself if I tried.

What Susan said...plus the fact that if getting out means your safety is in jeopardy? This is a no go.

You will never get a new birth certificate it will always be altered and you being an alias. Same with any ID that you might change. Being a parent is more powerful than you think. You put a name on a person and that name will stick for the rest of that persons life. The doctor that put the m or f on your birthcertificate has amazing powers too. You can not get it changed. It will always be in your file, maybe not for everyone to see but it will still be there. I chose, like Susan to be open about myself, that way there can not be any so called blackmail. I'm an advocate in a small way. One person at a time.
Sheila

I was thinking that a career with the CIA might afford one the proper documentation but barring that...

Quote from: melissa90299 on November 15, 2007, 03:59:19 PM
I was thinking that a career with the CIA might afford one the proper documentation but barring that...

Or the witness protection program. 

Quote from: Enigma on November 15, 2007, 04:13:35 PM

Or the witness protection program. 

Yep, that's always been my fantasy: to witness some crime and be put in the witness protection program, given a new identity and the body to match.

Hi,
     I agree, you can't hide. Even if you look like a movie star and nobody could tell,
don't ever go to a hospital. X-RAYS don't lie, and the doctors can read them !.
I didn't have this problem, but it does exist.

                                     Jennifer

Quote from: Kristi on November 15, 2007, 05:57:28 PM
Yep, that's always been my fantasy: to witness some crime and be put in the witness protection program, given a new identity and the body to match.

Fantasy granted.  Your new SSN is: 123-45-6789.  Enjoy!    Seriously though, there will always be someone who knows.  In my case and despite my efforts, I can't erase my past life completely.  My doctors know, some friends know too as well as all the Federal agencies (i.e, Department of State), the IRS, SSA, DMV, credit reporting agencies, etc, etc.  Yes, they do have me listed as female (gender marker and name) but the breadcrumbs are still all over the place; it is very difficult and tiresome to try to make them all disappear entirely.

tink

Quote from: HannahWA on November 15, 2007, 12:00:29 PM
Hey everyone!

Well, I started my transition and I'm in the RLT. Now it's just a matter of getting the legal stuff done and I'll feel at least somewhat more comfortable.

I've decided to have my name change sealed (in WA State) and to request a new birth certificate (Oregon) rather than an amended one. I am going into a field where I will be working with people ordered by the justice system to interact with me. If I make a decision that they don't agree with, I fear being outed and having my future career and family life destroyed. My personal safety will also be a concern much of the time I'm working. So, I've decided I want to change everything and have it all sealed.

The SSA website says the only way to change your SSN is in cases of domestic violence. Has anyone had any luck having their SSN changed due to transsexual identificaion? I can see many parallels in the reasons why a DV victim would want their SSN changed and my reasons. Any advice?

Thanks!

Hello, Hannah,

I have been in a similar position when I had to update my security clearance after 9/11. 

I filled-out the application and an investigator from the Office of Personnel Management came to visit me in my office.

I outed myself because if I did they would have one less, extremely powerful reason, to deny me the clearance.  I told her all and my clearance was approved.  I didn't care who knew that I am TS, at least I couldn't be "outed."

My birth certificate is from Pennsylvania.  The state changed my name with a court letter but requires a letter from the surgeon indicating that I have undergone GRS to change my gender.  It is as Melissa, Sheila, and Susan have said, the papers might change but with sufficient authority, like a court order or other writ, their trail will always be there for an authorized person to follow.  Keep in mind that the various "privacy acts" narrow down the number of people who can see a lot of your personal info.

Social Security changed the name on my account with a court order but they will not change my gender until they have the surgeon's letter.

Were I in that position again I would "out" myself, secure in the belief that if I do it, it won't count against me as something that I tried to conceal.

Wing Walker

Quote from: Jennifer01 on November 15, 2007, 06:23:21 PM
Hi,
     I agree, you can't hide. Even if you look like a movie star and nobody could tell,
don't ever go to a hospital. X-RAYS don't lie, and the doctors can read them !.
I didn't have this problem, but it does exist.

                                     Jennifer

I recently had some bone density scan X rays done and they said they are perfectly normal for a female of my age. I later told them I was transsexual, problem is they didn't believe me? so your arguement has no basis at all...

Also remember male and female bone densities are different and I still passed that one..

Quote from: Berliegh on November 16, 2007, 04:36:37 AM

Quote from: Jennifer01 on November 15, 2007, 06:23:21 PM
Hi,
     I agree, you can't hide. Even if you look like a movie star and nobody could tell,
don't ever go to a hospital. X-RAYS don't lie, and the doctors can read them !.
I didn't have this problem, but it does exist.

                                     Jennifer

I recently had some bone density scan X rays done and they said they are perfectly normal for a female of my age. I later told them I was transsexual, problem is they didn't believe me? so your arguement has no basis at all...

Also remember male and female bone densities are different and I still passed that one..

As for X-Rays, a bone density scan is something that a primary care physician would do.  I would hope, and at least I plan on it, that would be one doc you would be completely honest with.  Our bodies, at the end of the line (post-SRS, etc) aren't exactly male or female.  While we don't have to worry about some women's health issues, (I don't plan on dying from cervical cancer) such things as long term HRT are things to worry about.  And while the prostate isn't going to be much of an issue, atrophied as it is, we still have male um "issues" to at least consider and that just happened to be the most convenient one I could think of.

Generic X-rays, unless they're x-raying your pelvis (and even then its not like there's a betting pool going on, you know like "Davis in the stat lab has $20 on this chick's pelvis looking like a guy"), aren't going to disclose your trans status either.  Yes there have been many a TS that has suffered at the hands of the medical community, but your health is nothing to let your silence allow to be the death of you.

If you need medical treatment, get it.  Or don't, its not my aorta that's about to burst.

Quote from: Enigma on November 16, 2007, 09:45:29 AM

Quote from: Berliegh on November 16, 2007, 04:36:37 AM

Quote from: Jennifer01 on November 15, 2007, 06:23:21 PM
Hi,
     I agree, you can't hide. Even if you look like a movie star and nobody could tell,
don't ever go to a hospital. X-RAYS don't lie, and the doctors can read them !.
I didn't have this problem, but it does exist.

                                     Jennifer

I recently had some bone density scan X rays done and they said they are perfectly normal for a female of my age. I later told them I was transsexual, problem is they didn't believe me? so your arguement has no basis at all...

Also remember male and female bone densities are different and I still passed that one..

As for X-Rays, a bone density scan is something that a primary care physician would do.  I would hope, and at least I plan on it, that would be one doc you would be completely honest with.  Our bodies, at the end of the line (post-SRS, etc) aren't exactly male or female.  While we don't have to worry about some women's health issues, (I don't plan on dying from cervical cancer) such things as long term HRT are things to worry about.  And while the prostate isn't going to be much of an issue, atrophied as it is, we still have male um "issues" to at least consider and that just happened to be the most convenient one I could think of.

Generic X-rays, unless they're x-raying your pelvis (and even then its not like there's a betting pool going on, you know like "Davis in the stat lab has $20 on this chick's pelvis looking like a guy"), aren't going to disclose your trans status either.  Yes there have been many a TS that has suffered at the hands of the medical community, but your health is nothing to let your silence allow to be the death of you.

If you need medical treatment, get it.  Or don't, its not my aorta that's about to burst.

My x ray scan was for an IS condition....

Quote from: Enigma on November 16, 2007, 09:45:29 AM
If you need medical treatment, get it.  Or don't, its not my aorta that's about to burst.

Quote from: Berliegh on November 16, 2007, 11:45:12 AM
My x ray scan was for an IS condition....

I wasn't referring to anyone in particular, more the fact that too many TSs avoid medical treatment becuase of the fear of being "found out".

I'm sorry if you took offense.

Hannah.  No offense.  Save for domestic violence, the SSN cannot be changed.  Even when it can law enforcement and the courts can trace it back to your old number.

I would not worry so much.  There is only a certain level of stealth any of us can achieve, the level that you are seeking is nearly impossible. 

You are being very paranoid living in a state where you are part of a protected class (gender identity).  If you are going into the legal field or social work field, you should not worry so much.  Law enforcement...well its understandable.  But as it was said...within government itself these documents can be traced back and there is no such thing as a closed case.

Additionally you are just starting.  It will take SRS to change your SSN under the current law. 

Quote from: HannahWA on November 15, 2007, 12:00:29 PM
Well, I started my transition and I'm in the RLT. Now it's just a matter of getting the legal stuff done and I'll feel at least somewhat more comfortable.

I agree with much has been said. Without SRS you can't get the court order for your birth certificate change and then go through the legal hoops for SSN, passport, ad infintium. Until then you can only get a new drivers license.

I doubt any court would seal your name change, it's a matter of public record so people can't hide from their past, and so people and agencies can trace you without a court order.

Aslo, you don't get a choice when you change your birth certificate, they decide and it's most likely amended with the original one archived and the electronic version changed and noted (metadata). You will get a new clean one but everything is still in their files because it's the regulations for original information and documents.

If you're starting, you should read the information about the process, eg. tsroadmap.com, about the process. Good luck.

--Susan--

Quote from: Jennifer01 on November 16, 2007, 07:44:48 PM
Do you think I, you or anyone deserves this kind of treatment. And this was not the first time for poor treatment. Complaining will only get more doctors in their little click against you.

                                          Jennifer, in A** Hole  pennsylvania

Yikes. Not all of PA is like that, I promise! At least I haven't experienced it over here near Philadelphia.

~Kate~