Presenting Ashley Nikole

[Guest ashleynikole]

It's still sort of surreal.

I'm not sure it has really hit me yet. Perhaps when I have my license in my hand. Maybe.

The process I went through was really easy. I set the court date on Monday, then showed up in court at 8:30a this morning. It took about 20 minutes to get to my case and then in 5 minutes, I was done. I think I impressed the judge on my presentation as he was smiling the whole time and even cracked a joke at one of the questions they have to ask you. Overall it was a very easy process which really surprised me since it is a small city in the midst of the South (though there is a college nearby).

I'm definitely happy and while I don't "feel" any different, I'd say I've had more confidence in using my name. No more hesitation, questioning which name I should introduce myself with.

I pray that everyones' processes can be as easy and quick as mine was.

God bless

Ashley

[Guest aballofquestions]

Congrats! Thats such a great and huge step. Happy for you Ashley Nikole!

[Charlize]

Ashley Nickole, You may not feel different but if your like me i couldn't look down because i was floating on air. Life as myself became so much easier with that seal from the court. It was perhaps as big a step towards acceptance as any other.

Congratulations!!!!!!

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest Mickey]

Yay!!! So happy for you!

[Guest Ashlyn M]

Lucky. I'm at least 2 or 3 years from that. Maybe more,

[Guest]

Lucky. I'm at least 2 or 3 years from that. Maybe more,

Ya know, most people look at companies like Facebook and Twitter and think, wow, I wish I could be an overnight success. Problem is those companies were a 3-7 year overnight success.

Like those companies, I am here at this point today because of something that happened almost 2 years ago. It took 3 more months for it to come out (where someone else knew). It took another 3 months for me to try and shove it down until it led to a nervous breakdown. It took another 5 months for me to come to terms with it and accept myself. It took another 3 months before I got the nerve to take my HRT meds. Now after 7 months on HRT, well, here I am, just beginning my full time status with so much time to go until I get to where I think I'm going. The place that is right for me.

I pray that your time flies, your mind stays focused on your goals, and distracted from your worries, until the day when you look up and realize how far you've walked.

God bless

Ashley

[StephanieVikingGirl]

Wow!! That is wonderful news Ashley. Happy dance time!

big hugs,

Stephanie

[Carolyn Marie]

I've always said that the name change is one of, if not the most important step, in completing a social transition. Big congrats to you, Nicole. There are a whole lot of things to get changed now. Best of luck with all of it.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[VickySGV]

Now the paperwork really goes into high gear!! Congrats big time. The name change is really the high point of transition, and the most committed action you can take, as well as the most public.

[Guest]

Thank you for the introduction.

Wooohooooo! It's a Girl!

Congratulations Ashley Nikole.

Doing a happy dance for you, Girl.

Huggs,

Joann

[Cyndee]

That's really awesome Ashley, congratulations !

Hugs

Cyndi -

[Guest Faith gibson]

It's wonderful news AshleyNikole. Congrats!

[Guest Stevie]

I am so happy for you Ashley, congratulations!

Stevie

[Guest Megan_Lynn]

Congrats to you. Wish it would be so easy for me to get mine changed. Just can not afford a lawyer at this time. Yes am gonna need one as I absolutely refuse to advertise the name change in newspapers and will just keep his old name forever before I will endanger myself and family by doing that. On a good note its maybe two to three times a year that I actually have to even show the Id I have and the picture looks just like what I look like on a daily basis. In ever other way but Id have been full time for years now and HRT for over 6.

Anyways seriously Gratz to you...

[Guest JennaR]

Congratulations! That is seriously awesome!!! And I'm jealous; I wish mine had been finished that quickly. :-)

Jenna

[StephanieVikingGirl]

Well, I will be doing my name and gender change soon. It is easier here in California than in most places, we don't even need to have it published anymore. Purchased more female clothes today, along with accessories and make up. So I am getting prepared to follow you Ashley.

hugs,

Stephanie

[Guest]

Thanks girls.

The gender change will be a few more hoops. TN doesn't change it on your license unless you present them with a birth certificate, passport, or medical certification of SRS (that last one pisses me off to no end). I don't really want to amend my birth certificate because I was declared male at birth and that really is the truth. Also I'd have to do that in TX and I hear it's hit and miss depending on the judge (not to mention more money and travel time).

So I'm going to update my passport with a simple letter from my HRT doctor. Once the passport is updated, I'll present that and have my license changed and the license should dictate everything else moving forward. I'm just glad I keep a running list of every online website and other legal accounts so it should just be a straight shot down the list to fix things up.

God bless

Ashley

[Guest JennaR]

The gender change will be a few more hoops. TN doesn't change it on your license unless you present them with a birth certificate, passport, or medical certification of SRS (that last one pisses me off to no end).

I'm sorry that part is so difficult. Here in Virginia I just had to send a form filled out by me and my therapist and the DMV approved the gender change. It should be that easy everywhere.

Jenna

[Guest JillyDeex_53_mtf]

Ashley,

That is so awesome! Life certainly has it's moments of gratification and this is most definitely one of them!. Ahh, when you can step out into the world and not have to worry about which name you're going to use, WOW! I am so happy for you!

Many of the laws are also in the process of transition with some states much more progressive than others. Just as we have to assert our right to be who we are in our personal lives, we need to stay proactive in advancing our social and legal standing in society.

Love and Peace,

Jilly Dee

[Guest LizMarie]

Congratulations, Ashley! I know that for me getting the legal name change done sort of turned my head all around and opened up lines of thought I never thought possible.