A transgender journey: Clinical details

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/may/18/transgender-journey-clinical-details
5/18/11
Juliet Jacques

I knew after my second visit to the Gender Identity Clinic that my appointments with West London Mental Health Trust (or 'Charing Cross', as it's still colloquially known) would feel different now that I had addressed most of the social challenges of the 'Real Life Experience' (RLE) – and been prescribed female hormones.

Even before arriving in Hammersmith, I noticed that the time between consultations felt far shorter. I'd become used to the long waits, and more prepared to be patient, having finally begun medical treatment. It helped that the duration became easier to guess: I had been told to anticipate a four- to five-month period between half-hour slots, which were now all I needed. I expected my further consultations to be a matter of routine, unless some unforeseen life crisis complicated matters: if I was going to have serious second thoughts about transition, I would have done so by this point. Even a traumatic event, whatever that may be, would only delay proceedings.