Soc, Us Fed. Law

[Guest Isabella]

Step 1, we go see a theoropest. They tell us 2 months RLT, we get HRT. They offer encouragement & tell us we have nothing to be ashamed of. We feel excited & less alone. We choose to dress slightly in the direction of our gender identity. We go window shopping & are having a blast. Then we have to pee...mtf we attempt to use the ladies room. We're not very confident & our self esteem has been in the ditch for yrs. Some one reads us & freaks, & security is called. They ask for Id, we show them our Dl showing a male name/photo. Takes us into custady intill the cops arrive & arrest us for indecent exposure. At this point things can go in any # of ways, not of which are positive. This is just step #1, according to the SOC & Fed. law.

[Paula ult]

Step 1, we go see a theoropest. They tell us 2 months RLT, we get HRT. They offer encouragement & tell us we have nothing to be ashamed of. We feel excited & less alone. We choose to dress slightly in the direction of our gender identity. We go window shopping & are having a blast. Then we have to pee...mtf we attempt to use the ladies room. We're not very confident & our self esteem has been in the ditch for yrs. Some one reads us & freaks, & security is called. They ask for Id, we show them our Dl showing a male name/photo. Takes us into custady intill the cops arrive & arrest us for indecent exposure. At this point things can go in any # of ways, not of which are positive. This is just step #1, according to the SOC & Fed. law.

If the therapist expects anyone to do 2 months RLT before hormones or even after they should give them a carry letter explaining they are in transition, or the person should ask for one. It may not prevent what you just described but it would explain things and maybe get them off the hook.

I have a carry letter but have not had to use it as i try to avoid needing to go to the ladies room while out.

I think everyone knows i have very strong feeling that hormones should come before RLT and that it should be up to the person when they are ready for it.

Paula

[Guest Justme]

I agree with Paula. You need to get a carry letter from your therapist. Even though I have been in transition for years....it is a letter I still carry...just in case. And if your therapist does'nt know how to word such a letter....contact me...I can give you the wording I have always used. It is very concise and to the point. Signed by your therapist.

[Guest Donna Jean]

And I agree with Paula and JustMe...

A carry letter....

And if you need to ...take up JM on contacting for the wording.....

I call mine a "Get out of jail free" card!

Not really a leagal document, but is will likely diffuse a situation!

Look into it.....OK?

HUGGS!

Donna Jean

[Guest Evan_J]

<--Also possesses a carry letter. He's not had to use it thank god. But possesses one.

[Guest Isabella]

This did not acctually happen to me, I only wanted to show the complete absurdity of the system. I carry 2 letters, one from my Phsychiatrist, the other from my regular MD. I beleive these are potentially lifesavers, but legally I can still be arrested. In my state Nv, tg's have no rights. I also plan everything around the bathroom issue. I just think this is a ridiculous way to have to live. The legal & medical systems are completely out of step with each other & this simply is not neccisary.

[Guest Leah1026]

Step 1, we go see a theoropest. They tell us 2 months RLT, we get HRT.

They are wrong. The SOC are flexible, this person obviously isn't. The SOC suggests two different paths:

Therapy---->Real Life Experience--->HRT--->Surgery

Therapy--->HRT--->Real Life Experience--->Surgery

Most people are much more comfortable taking the second path. Some of us NEEDED that second path. I for one was kind of a mental basket case before HRT. HRT changed everything for me.

I would suggest downloading a copy of the SOC, studying them and then discussing this with that therapist. You can download a copy here:

http://www.WPATH.org

Knowledge is power.

[Guest Joanna Phipps]

And I agree with Paula and JustMe...

A carry letter....

And if you need to ...take up JM on contacting for the wording.....

I call mine a "Get out of jail free" card!

Not really a leagal document, but is will likely diffuse a situation!

Look into it.....OK?

HUGGS!

Donna Jean

While the carry letter carries no legal force and effect it does tell security and the store management that you are not some weirdo perv who just wants into the ladies room. I, too, have one and have not been asked for it but it is reassuring to know that until my name change, I am somewhat official.