I spoke to a transwoman at the trans support group I started going to who went to  Nottingham Gender Clinic, and she told me that not only did they say that she has to change her name in order to proceed with them, and get new forms and be out to everyone etc they said that the name she chose wasn't feminine enough. And apparently the therapist who said that still works there. It's ignorance. It really is. And this wasn't to get SRS, this happened just getting diagnosed apparently.
She played their game I was led to believe and changed the name back to the preferred one after, but I don't think I'd do that. I'd just walk.

It does sounds a bit like gatekeeping. "jump through my hoops or you don't get what you want"

Is there a complaint process or is this a formal policy for that location?

Laurie

The person who told me felt bad that she had probably put me off the GIC so said that this was just one therapist and the others are probably different. I said perhaps, but they all conference and share their cases, so I would think it was their policy. If so, I imagine the complaints would be made to the NHS Clinical Commissioning group of the particular locality.   

This is the first I have heard of something like this - I thought it was questionable that a person should be forced to change their name (only ever heard reference to this once from a UK FTM so I'm not sure if this is policy, or just the words of their therapists). Can't a person request a different therapist at a GIC?

I've often wondered how this gate keeping works for people who do not identify as M or F but all the same want to augment something physically to feel comfortable with themselves.

For instance, what if male wanted an orchiectomy but did not want to fully transition or a female wanted a mastectomy but had no intention of transitioning. According to the Benjamin Standard of Care wouldn't that person be denied treatment? What then?



 

Quote from: Virginia 71 on September 14, 2017, 11:17:13 AM
I've often wondered how this gate keeping works for people who do not identify as M or F but all the same want to augment something physically to feel comfortable with themselves.

For instance, what if male wanted an orchiectomy but did not want to fully transition or a female wanted a mastectomy but had no intention of transitioning. According to the Benjamin Standard of Care wouldn't that person be denied treatment? What then?

The treatment by the NHS GICs is shocking even if you identify as a binary trans* person. If you're NB or otherwise they really have no idea and no way to cope. I don't doubt for one moment that their behaviour has cost lives (my ex managed to save mine after they left me suicidal).
Having said this,  if you play their game,  HRT (including gnrh blockers)  and eventually GRS,  all funded, can be your prize! It's pretty sickening tbh.

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Quote from: Laurie on September 13, 2017, 06:33:34 PM
It does sounds a bit like gatekeeping. "jump through my hoops or you don't get what you want"

Is there a complaint process or is this a formal policy for that location?

Laurie

Laurie,  this is exactly the case. When I offered feedback to the lead clinician at my second appointment from the first one,  I was told they weren't interested.
These same people have recently tried to shut down the only other (private)  route to obtain HRT,  likely forcing illegal and unsafe use.

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Quote from: Virginia 71 on September 14, 2017, 11:17:13 AM
I've often wondered how this gate keeping works for people who do not identify as M or F but all the same want to augment something physically to feel comfortable with themselves.

For instance, what if male wanted an orchiectomy but did not want to fully transition or a female wanted a mastectomy but had no intention of transitioning. According to the Benjamin Standard of Care wouldn't that person be denied treatment? What then?

That's pretty much me in a nutshell. The  doctors accept my circumstances and wishes, but  they tell the insurance companies what they need to hear to get everything  covered. I guess it's different with the NHS being the doctor AND  the insurance company.

Hugs, Devlyn

I was born with a gender neutral name and have no intention of changing it so I wonder if they'd  give me an ultimatum to change it before they prescribed HRT, so I'd have to out myself before I'm ready, before I'm capable of going full time. No wonder alot of people end up worse from the stress. And because I have Asperger syndrome theyre likely to gate keep me even more.

I really expect very little to nothing from them.

QuoteI was born with a gender neutral name

Me too, I expected GIC staff not to even ask me about changing it but I got different responses. The GIC expected I would "want" to change it to something more overtly masculine (which I did) while the GP seemed shocked I would even bother. They didn't pressure me, though, or tell me I had to.