Hey there, at the title states, this is just a topic with a lot of different questions I have, none of them are causing me a HUGE amount of issue at the moment, but just some general queries and some silly questions


1) Is buying horomones in the UK legal, if it is, how do I skip the whole NHS gatekeeper part and just get the bloodwork done by a GP?  This is just to speed up the waiting process.

2) Parents still calling me ''he''? While this doesn't hugely bother me, it does grate a little, I however did say they can call me what they want, I wonder if their still confused or just prefer using that, what do you think?

3) Which underwear is most suitable during transition? I find traditional knickers are quite tight and uncomfortable, at the moment I have found ''comfort shorts / briefs'' are excellent, what do you think?

4) I am thinking about having no relationships during my transition phase to avoid confusion and avoid being derailed or convinced not to go through with it by someone I ''fall in love'' with, is this a decent idea?

5) I attended a transgender support group, and nearly everyone there was ''slapped up'', what I mean by that is caked in make up, wearing extremely feminine clothes etc, many not on medication yet (which is of course fine), though I did get asked a few times why aren't I wearing more feminine style, I thought this was a pretty odd question and almost seemed like they focus more on how they look?

6) In the UK, can you set your legal status to transgender for the transition period?

You might have a look here to speed up the process:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,197023.msg1753642.html#msg1753642

another option might be to go private in the us... there is informed consent there...
and another one to talk to a doc.... they might help with hormones if convinced, they might prescribe as bridge treatment...

Here might be some support:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,135219.msg1079726.html#msg1079726

well you might say in support groups you feel better the way you are dressed now...
and might look for other support groups...

concerning others here a a few resources that might be shown.. it might help with explaining gender disphoria and using the right pronouns...
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,197523.msg1756901.html#msg1756901


hugs

Hey, I'm also in the UK. You can't get hormones legally unless you go to your GP and ask to be put on the waiting list for a GIC. The good news is you can ask to be referred to any GIC you want. Unfortunately this is the only way to get HRT on the NHS. Or you can go private. I went to the london gender clinic to avoid the long wait but it costs me around £500 give or take in total for the sessions.

You can't set your legal status to transgender, you have to live two years as your new gender to change your gender legally and get a gender recognition certificate.  The good news is all you have to do is print of a deed poll and have it signed by two people who aren't related to you and you have to sign it with your old name and social title with your new one. Then you can change all your documents with your new name and gender. The GRC is really only to change your birth certificate.

Btw, you look really beautiful and feminine in your profile pic

1) Its not illegal if imported I think. Just customs charges suck, lol. Bloodwork would depend on your GP if they are willing to do it or not, varies depending who your GP is. When I asked mine they said no.

2) I don't know how long they have known about you being trans, took my mother a long time to change. Since she used "he" for nearly 27 years, though she did change to female pronouns when I was dressed female.

3) erm.. I dont mind so much with underwear, I tend to wear thongs more than anything.

4) I am doing the same thing.

5) I have never been to a support group.

6) You can legally change your status to Female when you've changed your name and title via deedpoll.
Some place's are more annoying that other to change it to female though.

1) Buying hormones is legal. Where are you going to get proper tests done, and read by someone who has adequate knowledge to read it, is another story. Average GP knows far too less about hormones, let alone thyroid test results, or pituitary test results, or liver tests, etc... Also average lab tests that GP can do for you and is allowed to get it covered, wouldnt include hormonal tests, and thyroid tests, pituitary tests etc. You would likely need to do blood tests in private labs, which can turn out to be very expensive when you add all necessary things to the test. Its far from just testing estrogen and testosterone. The average blood test that my endo does for me, would cost me around 500€ if I were to make that test in private lab. Price in UK is likely twice as high.

2) Until you directly ask them loud and clear to call you by your chosen pronouns, they will happily call you he and son and old name.

5) Many transsexual women fell the need to overcompensate for the loss of their femininity in their childhood and early adulthood. This can often lead to more than inappropriate and tasteless clothing choices, which one might expect 15year old to wear, not 45year old. Many will feel the need to dress overly feminine in order to remove any doubt about who they are in the eyes of others (read-strangers). Excessive make-up is there for the same reason, and for hidding masculine features. But its not often effective with other people, but more for reflection in the mirror. Less is more is something that many trans women dont want to understand. I was asked by few at a local group why I never wear make-up... and my answer that I dont like make-up and almost never wear it because I feel pretty without it, didnt leave them pleased. But each to their own...   

Thanks for all the answers 

Quote from: Elis on December 05, 2015, 02:26:09 PM

Btw, you look really beautiful and feminine in your profile pic

Thanks, but it was the best out of a really bad bunch and quite an oldie too ^^