How In Depth Should I Go For My Auto-bio

[Guest Soph]

I don't know if any of you girls had to do this, but I have to write an autobiography focusing on my gender identity and sexual identity to present before the gender team before I get to start HRT.

I just want to know how in depth I should go. Should saying that I started dressing at around 12 be enough, or do I need to go more in depth than that?

Its just difficult to write the really intimate details knowing that a group of people I don't know will be reading them...

[Guest Eth]

Go as far as you are comfortable. The way I see it is, you don't know them, and they don't know you, so it's not like they're all going to be hanging out with you at lunch and laughing at anything you write. Besides, these are professionals who deal with this all the time; I'm sure the 'humor' has gotten old by now. They've seen it all already.

Still, be comfortable with what you write. Put what you think is necessary and go as far as possible without getting butterflies in your stomach and stuff. You should not be embarrassed with your work, but you also should be aware that the more info you give them, the more accurate their evaluation is likely to be.

With that being said, I wish you good luck! Just don't be afraid to write what you think is appropriate, and also don't be afraid to keep to yourself what you think doesn't need to be said.

愛 Eth

[Sally]

Eth gave you the perfect advice, just forget that anyone is going to read it and tell the story - they can't make any kind of reliable recomendations without the facts - tell them as much as you can.

They are not your enemies, they are trying to help you so help them by giving them what they need to know.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Soph]

Thanks girls, I didn't know if it was something that was really supposed to say everything, or if I can leave a few details vague.

Thanks again!

[Guest AllisonD]

Thanks girls, I didn't know if it was something that was really supposed to say everything, or if I can leave a few details vague.

Thanks again!

How do they use what you write? I would ask that first, but then I don't know just what the current process is. I know I have been put in case studies that I would just as soon had not been included in. They never used my last name, so maybe it shouldn't matter to me. And maybe I shouldn't resent being used for research - it is one price of being a pioneer. But find out what they are going to do with it before you write more than the other women tell you that you have to.

Separately, when I had to schedule the SRS (so I could get a passport - covered in another post) I had to face the 'official standard of care' nonsense for the first and only time. I contacted the then-reigning guru in Trinidad, Colo and he wanted two letters. I understand that was in direct reponse to the Benjamin standard of care rules. My current shrink referred me to a colleage for the other letter. All I had to do was show up and show clear evidence that I had been living full time as a woman for years and I got my letters. So why do you need a bio at all?

Sorry if this sounds like a rant but I do get frustrated with people having to get 'permission' to do what is SO obviously right and necessary. I understand surgeons wanting to protect themselves from subsequent lawsuits over responding to someone asking for what might appear to be elective surgery, but it still makes me want to scream when self-appointed 'experts' want to police our right to begin life, and then want to present our cases in their next textbook on how to treat 'illness'. The Constitution gives us the right to pursue happiness. Some are compelled to seek SRS to be happy. How is it the medical community's business except to provide services? Do you have to write a bio to get the electrician to install central air? Or to get cable TV? The news tells us that a huge number of people were actually encouraged to mortgage themselves beyond any sane level of fiscal responsibility - did they need a bio to get permission?

Too much venom? Please accept my apologies. Soph's question just happened to hit one of my bruises. Tell me if this is over the top for this venue.

Just the same, find out what is going to happen to whatever you write before you turn it over to them.

Allison

[Guest julia_d]

Never heard of anything like this before.. I think we have psychiatrist gatekeepers here. I would go somewhere else rapidly.. way too many things they could pull up and use to pick holes in you. How many times can you be asked "but why" to the same answer before you run out of answers except "just because" ??

[Guest Cait]

How do they use what you write? I would ask that first, but then I don't know just what the current process is. I know I have been put in case studies that I would just as soon had not been included in. They never used my last name, so maybe it shouldn't matter to me. And maybe I shouldn't resent being used for research - it is one price of being a pioneer. But find out what they are going to do with it before you write more than the other women tell you that you have to.

Separately, when I had to schedule the SRS (so I could get a passport - covered in another post) I had to face the 'official standard of care' nonsense for the first and only time. I contacted the then-reigning guru in Trinidad, Colo and he wanted two letters. I understand that was in direct reponse to the Benjamin standard of care rules. My current shrink referred me to a colleage for the other letter. All I had to do was show up and show clear evidence that I had been living full time as a woman for years and I got my letters. So why do you need a bio at all?

Sorry if this sounds like a rant but I do get frustrated with people having to get 'permission' to do what is SO obviously right and necessary. I understand surgeons wanting to protect themselves from subsequent lawsuits over responding to someone asking for what might appear to be elective surgery, but it still makes me want to scream when self-appointed 'experts' want to police our right to begin life, and then want to present our cases in their next textbook on how to treat 'illness'. The Constitution gives us the right to pursue happiness. Some are compelled to seek SRS to be happy. How is it the medical community's business except to provide services? Do you have to write a bio to get the electrician to install central air? Or to get cable TV? The news tells us that a huge number of people were actually encouraged to mortgage themselves beyond any sane level of fiscal responsibility - did they need a bio to get permission?

Too much venom? Please accept my apologies. Soph's question just happened to hit one of my bruises. Tell me if this is over the top for this venue.

Just the same, find out what is going to happen to whatever you write before you turn it over to them.

Allison

No, you are right. They ask too many questions. I've decided this is to have a sense of Ego and control over other people. I have had to answer so many

questions, it's abusive . I CAN see why a surgeon is protecting himself! I don't argue with that at all. I get a deep sense of some of them being perverted

and selecting whom they most are attracted to, in regards to "showing " you off later.

I can actually point to one who out right harmed people--Dr. Mooney.

I'm not sure how that is pronounced.

If you want, i can repeat this over and over, just in case you miss it the first dozen or so times.

and anyway, anyone persuing a SRS or HRT is either suffering or delusional.( i didn't call anyone you know delusional, that is a generalization wherein

I'm simply pointing out that non transgendered people probably won't seek out treatment, so what does a doctor think you are there for??????????????

America's Medical system is about making money and juicing insurance companies for maximum profit.

Your very correct in that they go too far.

lots of love,

Cait

[Guest Soph]

Hey, sorry I haven't responded lately.

I didn't want to incite such strong emotion, or to imply at all that I was being mistreated there.

To be honest, concerning the SOC (which, I agree, is garbage. Those were rules set up some 50 (I think) years ago and certainly don't apply in our marginally more enlightened time), my therapist is actually not adhering to it too strongly. I've only been seeing her for about 2 months (with the SOC dictating a requisite 3 months minimum), and am (provided everything goes well at the presentation) starting the hormones July 20th. I'm mostly pleased with the way I've been treated, although it would be nice if I didn't need a go-ahead from a therapist at all to start hormones. But we can all dream.

I actually think the bio would be taken care of by my therapist except that the date was too soon and I wasn't seeing her too often. Normally I don't think (although I don't really have any reference) that the client is required to write the biography herself.

I assure you that I haven't been forced to jump through any hoops or been made uncomfortable in my transition (except by myself... and the cashiers. Seriously, you have a job to do >_<). I'm sure its just out of context and makes it sound like I'm being called crazy every time I go there. They're not taking what I write down and posting it on the walls--I'm fairly certain its completely confidential.

Sorry if my post is scattered or irrelevant My mind is all over the place right now.