How is 1 year of RLE determined?

[Paige0000]

Hey my lovely ladies I was curious how is the RLE requirement for SRS determined? Like over the past week I've been out full time as a female in social gatherings, down town, daily life, home etc. Though my name is still not yet changed (planning on too soon) and I still have to dress masculine for my work due to family circumstances. Though I also do other jobs on the side in full female mode. I was curious does any of this contribute to my RLE requirements as I'm not quite full time but am definitely close (weekly ratio 80% female mode/20% male mode).

[LordKAT]

My understanding was 24/7 including at work and/or school.

[Cindy]

In Australia you need to demonstrate complete societal integration as your identified gender, it doesn't mean being socially identified as your identified gender, but to demonstrate an acceptance of it. Basically if this person has SRS will she (or he) have regrets in living in society as themselves.

Which usually means it is up to your therapist to be willing to write the letter and for a second therapist to confirm the opinion, the dates mean little. In your case of being unable to dress/present as yourself should not be important considering it is from family pressure. What will be of concern is your ability to live as you.

Some of the Australian psychiatrists are more conservative than others BTW.

Pm me if you want to discuss in private.
Cindy

[Zumbagirl]

I considered mine as starting from the point after my name change was processed by the court and I officially updated all of my documentation such as social security, drivers license, etc. To me that made it official.

[ZoeM]

For me it was when I threw all my male clothes in so many garbage bags and hauled them merrily away. August 1, 2013, to be exact.

From that point on I've been female 24/7 and enjoying every minute of it.

[ErinM]

For me it began on Sept 11th at 2:00 PM when I clocked out of work for the last time in guy mode and that's how it's been recorded by my psychiatrist.

By coincidence my name change certificate was issued the day before along with my "temporary" birth certificate.

[Ms. OBrien CVT]

As it was my understanding, RLE began when you present in your true gender 24/7, regardless if you should have been there in the  other mode.

I had a follow up for a surgery I had the previous year.  The surgery was performed when I was still presenting male and in my male name.  The nurse and doctor were both taken aback till I explained that I am Transgender.

[sazzy]

I was thinking about this the other day, my wife and I were stood in the kitchen side by side, dressed on t shirts, jogging pants and trainers (sneakers). We both shaved our heads at the beginning of the year to donate our hair to a children's cancer charity (our 3 year old daughter lost her hair when she started chemotherapy) and our regrowth is similar in length and neither of us had any make up on. Obviously I looked like a man, and if I walked into an appointment they'd assume I was presenting in 'male mode' despite wearing pretty much exactly what my wife was... So how'd that work during RLE I wonder...

Saz xx

[LordKAT]

I don't think it matters what they thought as much as what you knew.

[Jill F]

My therapist told me she'd hand me my walking papers after I was full time for one year, as long as I was on HRT continously the entire time. 

Still don't have my name changed legally, but that doesn't matter to her.

4 months to go until that happens, but I don't think I'm getting SRS for at least another year.  SRS after only 14 months HRT seems a bit accelerated for my taste.   I'm 99.9% sure I will get it done, as I still want it all day every day, but I'm the type who went for the 90 day escrow instead of the 15 day.

I want to do my facial surgeries first and wait for the breasts to fill out (to see if I can roll the BA in with the SRS) first.

Is it unusual to get SRS as your first surgery?  I theoretically could.

[Jenna Marie]

In reality, it seems to be down to "what the primary letter-writing therapist defines that way." In my case, due to wholly unrelated legal issues, I was full-time including at work by June 2010, but couldn't change my name for six months after that. My therapist said she considered coming out at work to be the start date regardless, but she didn't exactly demand legal proof or anything; she took my word for things.

In the end it didn't matter, since I got GRS about two years past that point. (Jill : I don't think that's odd at all. In fact, GRS was my first and ONLY surgery! I would have been happy to do it at the precise 12-month mark, too, but we had to save up some more money first.)

[MaryXYX]

Is it unusual to get SRS as your first surgery?  I theoretically could.

For many of us that's the only surgery.

Here RLE is two years, and dates from when you can show a legal name change plus a letter from your employer saying you are consistently going to work in your new gender.  "Employer" can be interpreted as "college" if you are a student, but if you are unemployed or retired you have real problems.

[Paulagirl]

When I first visited a therapist to get my HRT letter, during our talks I mentioned that I had been full time for almost two years. I got my letter, and she mentioned that when it was time to start booking surgery, to call for my completion of RLE letter. She said my two years was more than enough RLE. It required no proof or documentation. Just live.

[suzifrommd]

Well no one follows you around and makes sure you don't do anything manly. 

Mine started when I started being called Suzi all the time, stopped wearing male clothing and asked everyone to use female pronouns.
However, my therapist didn't set those requirements. I did. She hasn't pressed me on it - taking my word for the fact that I'm living full time as a woman.

My name and gender marker weren't legally changed until much later.

[MaryXYX]

When I first visited a therapist to get my HRT letter, during our talks I mentioned that I had been full time for almost two years. I got my letter, and she mentioned that when it was time to start booking surgery, to call for my completion of RLE letter. She said my two years was more than enough RLE. It required no proof or documentation. Just live.

I can't see where you are Paula.  I'm in the UK and I described the way it works here.

[Paulagirl]

Mary XYX, I'm in Ontario Canada. WE have some of the most forward thinking rules and regulations concerning our own bodies, and gender.
Doctors and therapists seem to believe that the patient is one of the best people there is to determine thier gender. What a strange concept!
Canada's basic philosophy is 'You are the gender you think you are.' Simple.
There are safeguards, and gatekeepers, but in general, the trust is in the patient.
What a great country.