I'm a male adult who believes to be assigned with wrong sex. I want to be a mtf transgender, but my parents are Asians who strongly stick to traditional thoughts, so it's impossible to get approval from them. In my country, however, to take a gender dysphoria test, to start Hormone Therapy, to get Sexual Reassignment Surgery, all require the agreement of family members regardless of the age. If my parents don't sign on the document, I can't do anything.

I'll have a chance to study and work for some years in the US. I want to take this chance. After some research on the internet, I think starting transition in the US don't require the agreement of family members? Am I correct? So, is it possible for me to start Hormone Therapy and take the surgery independently there? Meanwhile, I'll also work hard to be a permanent residence of America.

That's right, you don't need anyone else's consent in the U.S. if you're 18 or older, well, except the consent of doctors and therapists, but they're pretty easy to find.

Welcome to the boards, by the way. 

Welcome to Susa's Place. I suspect there is an age of consent in your country where you become an adult and are responsible for your own decisions otherwise you might be 60 years old and still require your parents permission to take certain actions. The age might be higher than 18 years old as once it was 21 years old in the United States. It might benefit you to look into the details of the treatment programs in your country to find if there is an age were you are able to decide for yourself.

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Quote from: Dena on November 01, 2016, 10:12:13 PM
Welcome to Susa's Place. I suspect there is an age of consent in your country where you become an adult and are responsible for your own decisions otherwise you might be 60 years old and still require your parents permission to take certain actions. The age might be higher than 18 years old as once it was 21 years old in the United States. It might benefit you to look into the details of the treatment programs in your country to find if there is an age were you are able to decide for yourself.

We issue to all new members the following links so you will best be able to use the web site.

Things that you should read

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It's true that I'm legally adult in my country. Family members don't necessarily refer to parents. It can be your mate, your children... But unfortunately my only family members are my parents at present.

If I recall, you can basically do whatever you want in the U.S. although, it's probably better to play it safe by seeing a doctor of some sort.

I'm from Hong Kong and have a charity trust for Tgs in China. I dont know where you hear that a person of age, 18 years old or more require by law family approval in China  That is absolutely BS, its your choice. Yes family rejection is prevalent but NO LAWS that requre their approval. Like USA if you are a minor you will need parent approval. BTW I will have a documentary made by Vice Media on tgs in China and I am featured and will be posting the site on Susans. Presently, it's only in Mandarin.

Quote from: warlockmaker on November 02, 2016, 08:31:02 AM
require by law family approval in China  That is absolutely BS, its your choice.

Tomb_of_minds doesn't actually say what country she is in.

I did a little internet search and it seems like the age of consent tops out at 21 years old. The age of consent is when you are considered an adult for sexual intercourse so it should be the same age as when you are considered legally an adult and able to make your own decisions free of family. It's very possible that the OP is consider a minor in her country so without family approval, treatment would be delayed until she is older.

Quote from: Dena on November 02, 2016, 02:05:52 PM
I did a little internet search and it seems like the age of consent tops out at 21 years old. The age of consent is when you are considered an adult for sexual intercourse so it should be the same age as when you are considered legally an adult and able to make your own decisions free of family. It's very possible that the OP is consider a minor in her country so without family approval, treatment would be delayed until she is older.

There'd be no delay if she moved to the US, though, right?

Age of consent in the United States is 18.

Quote from: Dena on November 02, 2016, 07:09:11 PM
Age of consent in the United States is 18.

But, would there be immigration issues?  Like, amongst therapists or doctors or surgeons?

United State laws apply to everybody, citizen or not who is within the country. The exception is foreign diplomats. This is why an illegal immigrant can sue the government or anybody else while they are in the country if laws are violated. If you are younger than 18 and in the country you need your parents consent for treatment unless it's an emergency or you are under the care of the government.

I work with the LGBT in China. I also just went on the internet and confirmed that you do NOT need family approval. I know in China the age of cinsent is 14 regardless of your sexual orientation.

I assume that you are in youir late teens or 20s and that you were born under the one child policy, which has now been eliminated. For the Chinese the male is preferred. The issue with TGs in China is not the law but social acceptance. Family acceptance is very rare and I have had to assist those who were completely rejected by the family. Their emotional pain breaks my heart.

When you have enough posts I will put you in contact with the LBGT in China. You must be aware of the emotional issues that you will face. Its changing but old family values makes it so difficult. Here we face the issue of social acceptance not the law.

That is so strange that you need to have your family agree on changing your life for the better and I give you respect for making the changes to do so and if coming to America makes it easier for you to do so then I say go for it. I just wish I had the confidence to get on HRT and make the changes that I need in my life but I am too much of a chicken to do so. So I look up to you gals that are making the transition.

I am very proud to be 1/2 Chinese. Please get your facts correct, thete is NO law in China that requires a person who has reached majority age to seek family approval. I have attached a link below about a famous TG star in China.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/meet-oprah-china-who-happens-be-transgender-942750

Absolutely, you can start transition in the US without parental approval at age 18. I will note that from the experience of friends, it is difficult to emigrate to the US. I have a friend from Australia who married an American and it still took her years to become a legal citizen. I also had a classmate who was Romanian that had married as well, and she was still going through bureaucracy at seven years. That said, work visas and students are a thing. You'll want to do some significant reading up on what it takes to emigrate to the US, if you're serious about leaving your country of origin and becoming a citizen.

Mind, I'm not trying to persuade you not to emigrate; if your country's laws are that hostile to trans people, it sounds like the best option. But I have found that many think it's easy to emigrate here, and it's not. I just want to provide the knowledge I have and suggestions for what to look into. It sounds like you're in a terrible situation, and emigrating would be the best option if you are correct about your country's laws. I'm honestly aghast that transition would require consent from every family member; presumably, you are an adult, and thus are not only capable but entitled to make significant life decisions on your own.

*hugs and cookies offered*