'Are you a bird or a bloke?'
Having decided to transition, Juliet Jacques begins living as woman. Here she recounts the reaction of friends, employers - and total strangers
* Juliet Jacques
*
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 30 June 2010 11.44 BST
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/jun/30/living-as-a-womanHaving made my decision to transition, the first place I went was the Clare Project. The convenor handed me pages on the NHS pathway, the numerous oestrogens available, hair removal and surgery, and told me that the first step was to ask my GP for a psychiatric referral.
My doctor warned of a three- to four-month waiting list. Fine, I thought, I'll have time to manage things with friends and family. Days later, the letter arrived: my assessment would be in two weeks. This is it, I decided. I would live as a woman - except at work, as my temporary contract expired in two weeks. Why make all that effort for the sake of a fortnight?